ELON, N.C. – Elon University's 10th annual Night of the Phoenix event held Friday, Feb. 17, at Alumni Gym raised over $179,000 for student-athletes. Across 10 years, Night of the Phoenix has now raised over $1.1 million in annual scholarship support for the Phoenix Club. The Phoenix Club Advisory Board and Elon's Department of Athletics coordinates the event.
 
Following dinner and a robust silent auction consisting of over 230 items for bid both in-venue and online, Elon trustee Jeanne Robertson and her husband, Jerry, were honored with Elon Medallions. Elon Medallions are the university's most prestigious honor, awarded at the discretion of the president to those who have contributed to outstanding service at Elon over many years. The Robertsons were introduced by their longtime friend, retired Elon athletics director Alan White, with the medallions presented by President Leo M. Lambert.
 
The Robertsons, of Burlington, N.C., are among the university's most loyal supporters, with a special affinity for Phoenix athletics. A professional speaker and humorist, Jeanne Robertson provided the headline entertainment at the Night of the Phoenix later in the evening.
 
"Jeanne and Jerry Robertson are important people to Elon University and to Phoenix Athletics," said Director of Athletics Dave Blank. "They have been long-time supporters of our student-athletes, coaches and administrators and we are very grateful for all of their support. There are none more deserving of the Elon Medallion than the Robertsons, and we thank them for being such an important part of Elon University."
 
Following the Elon Medallion presentation, football standout Asunji Maddox spoke to the room about his experience as a student-athlete. A senior safety for the Phoenix, Maddox touched on the impact his teammates have made on him as a person, as well as an appreciation for the opportunity that was given to him with an athletic scholarship.
 
Following Maddox's remarks and a video featuring women's basketball's Lauren Brown, lacrosse's Rachel Ramirez and men's soccer's Matthew Jeiger, Elon student-athletes entered the room to thank those in attendance for their participation in the night's activities and for all of their scholarship support with Stand Up for the Phoenix.
 
The evening closed with a performance by Robertson, an award winning humorist and professional speaker with over 40 million views on her YouTube channel. Speaking to thousands of people annually, she utilizes her positively funny style to illustrate that a sense of humor is much more than a laughing matter, and that was illustrated perfectly on Friday night with her standup routine at the Night of the Phoenix. The Robertson's son, Bailey "Beaver" Bowline is a 1989 Elon alumnus and a former basketball player, and their grandson, Ryder Bowline, a current member of the men's basketball team, will graduate this spring.
 
"It was tremendous to see so many friends from the Elon community in the room enjoying Night of the Phoenix on Friday and coming together to support the education and experiences of our student-athletes," Blank said. "We are very appreciative of the hard work and effort the Phoenix Club Advisory Board puts forth that makes this event a success year after year."