By Chris Pritchett

University of British Columbia

Thanks to our alumni, donors and supporters, the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds is staying strong through funding cuts and budget constraints due to COVID-19, and our athletes and coaches are hard at work as we write this.

Normally, events like our golf tournament and Thunderstrum are a big boost to our scholarship fund, and our student athletes’ success on and off the field. In fact, nine of our 2019-20 players reached academic All Canadian status.

We must keep our players striving and able to access a great education while they develop in their sport. In these socially distant times, we’ve re-shaped our fundraiser into an event that bolsters our fund and brings us together to celebrate the sport we love.

Your contributions will go towards student athlete awards, with 15% supporting our Junior Varsity Team and the youngest in our UBC Baseball family, the PBL Thunder Baseball Program.

To coincide with our virtual “hot stove” we will be hosting an online silent auction this month. If you wish to donate an item for the auction, please contact Chris Pritchett (chris.pritchett@ubc.ca).

While you can’t put a price on this unique opportunity, we have created a “pay what you can” pricing structure to make sure everyone can attend. In the event that you can’t make this great event, please consider supporting UBC Thunderbirds with a donation to the Decade of Dominance Fund.

Some of the best Canadians ever -- Mike Soroka, Justin Morneau and Jeff Francis -- University of British Columbia fielding questions in real time.

Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) was active with the Atlanta Braves before being injured, while Morneau (New Westminster, BC) and Francis (North Delta, BC) were teammates with the North Delta Blue Jays. Morneau signed with the Minnesota Twins and was elected to the Canadian Baaseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys. Francis was a product of UBC coach Terry McKaig’s legendary long-toss program, gained velocity and wound up a 17-game winner for the Colorado Rockies.

Rob Fai (TSN 1040, voice of the Vancouver Canadians) will join you in raising a glass of whatever’s in your fridge and host a chat with

Afterwards, Alumni groups will go to breakout rooms to catch up, and University of British Columbia coaches and current TBirds will host a room where they can answer your questions and tell about their team.

Soon the Thunderbird online Auction page will be launched and people can sign up at no cost. You’ll be sent a confirmation email and a reminder before the auction starts – then have four days to shop our amazing auction at your leisure until 10 p.m. on event night. (Bid Nov. 29-Dec. 2).

Click here to purchase now and join for the very special night and four days of auction shopping.