May 13, 2008

A partnership between San Joaquin Valley cotton growers and Fresno State Athletics will be celebrated at the California Cotton Grower’s Annual Meeting in Visalia on Wednesday, March 14, when Bulldog football coach Pat Hill is the luncheon speaker.

Hill will speak at 12:15 pm. at the Visalia Convention Center and greet supporters from 12:30 to 1:30 at the Bulldogs booth set up by University Outreach Services. The university’s mascot, Timeout, also will be at the booth.

Donated bales of cotton harvested from the 2006 crop will be auctioned after the annual luncheon to benefit Fresno State Athletics. Proceeds will go to the Fund for Excellence, which covers operating expenses for student-athlete services provided by the Athletics Department, said Gregory Walaitis, associate athletics director for Fresno State.

“We hope to raise $100,000 in the first year of this program,” Walaitis said. “Whatever amount we are able to raise, it speaks volumes for the level of support the Valley has for the Bulldogs.”

More than 30 growers donated bales to help the program, Walaitis said, adding that additional cotton-bale donations are welcome for the auction, which he hopes will become an annual event.

For more information or for exact booth location, call 559.278.7103 or e-mail gstrang@csufresno.edu.