As an Alumna of Coastal Carolina University, it's only natural for me to cheer for the Chanticleers. Luckily, I joined an employer who loves Coastal athletics as much as I do. However, cheering on my favorite team wouldn't be possible without the Chanticleer Athletic Foundation (CAF), otherwise known as the Team Behind the Team.
CAF is a nonprofit charitable organization that provides financial assistance for Coastal Athletics and generates community interest in building a competitive Division I athletic program. CAF's job is to help Coastal's nearly 450 student-athletes excel academically and athletically through funding scholarships, enhanced academic support, athletic facilities, and operational needs for all of the university's athletic teams.
Carolina Trust is a proud CAF member and helps however we can throughout the year. We recently showed our support by purchasing a table at the CAF Gala and donating two pairs of 10k Gold CCU Mascot Logo Earrings for the event's silent auction.
We reached out to several friends of the credit union and asked them if they'd also be willing to donate items for the auction. A big thank you to all of the other amazing business who donated:
The CAF Gala, which was hosted at Marriot Myrtle Beach Resort and Spa at Grande Dunes, was absolutely gorgeous. The ballroom was decorated in teal accents, and the guests were all gussied up. The details were immaculate, and something super impressive was the teal-lighted ceiling, like the teal football stadium.
Pictured Left: The Atlantic Ballroom decorated in teal accents, including the teal lighted ceiling. Pictured Right: Michael T. Benson, Coastal Carolina University President; Kelly Moore, Executive Director of the Chanticleer Athletic Foundation; Matt Hogue, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation.
The night was full of entertainment: live music by Chocolate Chip and Company, as well as a live and silent auction; not that anyone needed entertaining, we were all just so excited to be in a social setting again. If you missed the gala, but are looking for a bit of socialization, check out Chef Jamie's, Owner of Johnny D's Waffles and Benedicts, new Wine & Dinner Experience.
Overall, it was a fantastic night, made even better by the fact that we were raising money for the university's student-athletes, and Chauncey was there!
Pictured Left: August, Carolina Trust Brand Ambassador and Chauncey, Coastal Carolina University Mascot. Pictured Right: Pam Carlisle and Tim Carlisle, Carolina Trust President/CEO.
If you love cheering on the Chanticleers and are looking for a way to give back, I highly encourage you to consider joining CAF. Watching the success of the university's athletic teams and knowing you played a role in helping them achieve it, is such a phenomenal feeling. You may already be a part of teal nation, but joining CAF lets you become a part of the team, the Team Behind the Team.