Each year more than 400 Cowboy fans join together on a single night to have a good time while raising funds to financially support over 350 McNeese State University student-athletes.

Denim & Diamonds is an annual fundraiser sponsored by the McNeese Athletic Foundation. The event includes dinner along with silent and live auctions. Auction items range from guided hunting and fishing trips to wine baskets, home décor, sports memorabilia, and dinner cruises. Athletes from all sports will be on hand to serve food and visit with Cowboy supporters.

According to Pam McGough, coordinator of athletic development, the proceeds are dedicated for student-athlete scholarships and athletic programs.

"Denim & Diamonds is a fun event for people to attend, while at the same time, showing their support for the student-athletes and McNeese. We look forward to another successful year and greatly appreciate the Southwest Louisiana community for their support in advancing McNeese athletics,” stated Pam.

McNeese State basketball players Kiara Johnson and Stephan Martin are just two of the numerous athletes achieving their goal of a higher education with the aid of student-athlete scholarships.

Kiara, a junior early childhood education major, didn't plan on playing college basketball but was recruited by Cowgirls basketball coach Brooks Donald-Williams out of Carroll High School in Monroe.

The six-foot-one inch forward says the scholarship makes a big difference in her life, and she greatly appreciates it. She uses the scholarships monies to help cover expenses related to books and on-campus housing.

"It's a blessing to have my books, meal plan, housing and tuition covered by my basketball scholarship, Pell grant and TOPS,” said Kiara. "It also takes a burden off of my parents, especially with five girls in the family.”

Lacassine High School product Stephan Martin knew he always wanted to play basketball at the college level. He began playing basketball in elementary school and has been playing ever since, even playing on his high school team when he was in junior high. Receiving a scholarship has helped him achieve both his goals of playing college basketball and obtaining a higher education.

"Thank you to the donors for supporting us and letting people who can't afford to go to school have the opportunity to go to college,” Stephan said. "You [donors] are changing someone's life every day.”

The success of Denim & Diamonds is directly related to those who show their support by purchasing tickets and auction items. Leslie Harless has attended the fundraiser the past two years. "It is a great event with plenty of good food, good friends,a wide variety of auction items, andprovides a perfect opportunity to meet the MSU athletes, said Leslie.”

The third annual Denim & Diamonds fundraiser will be held Thursday, March 4, 2010, in the Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., and everyone is encouraged to wear their best western or McNeese attire.

Tickets are $100 per couple or $50 per person and can be purchased at Novus Auto Glass located at 1590 Maplewood Drive in Sulphur and 4419 Lake Street in Lake Charles, Gordon Drug Store located at 2716 Lake Street in Lake Charles, or by contacting Pam McGough at 337-562-4141 or pmcgough@mcneese.edu.