CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State Athletics department is excited to announce that it's annual department-wide fundraising event will take place on Saturday, August 23. This year's event – the Welcome Back Soirée – is set to take place at the Viking Public House on Euclid Avenue during the university-wide welcome back events taking place this weekend.

RAFFLE PACKAGES
1) Playhouse Package: Two Tickets for The Notebook, $50 Winking Lizard Gift Card, 1-Night Stay + Parking at Metropolitan at the 9, Two Wine Glasses, Bottle of Wine
2) Northeast Ohio Golf Package: Threesome at Firestone GC, Foursome at Pine Hills, 18-Hole Putt Putt for Two, Four Tickets to the 2026 Senior Open
3) A Night Out Back: Firepit, Cigars, Two Bottles of Bourbon, Yard Games
4) Dress Like A Viking: $350 worth of Apparel from Viking Outfitters
5) Baseball With The Guards: Four Tickets to a September Game and Four Batting Practice Access Tickets
6) Cleveland Sports Awards: Tickets to the 2026 Greater Cleveland Sports Awards
7) Mystery Grab Bag: Only the Winner Knows!
8) Ohio State/Michigan Package: Two Tickets to Ohio State vs. Michigan in Ann Arbor, Dinner at the Shoreby Club w/OSU Football Alum
9) World Traveler: $500 Travel Voucher

This year's Welcome Back Soirée will benefit 290+ student-athletes as they work to become champions in the classroom, in the community and through competition.

Family, friends and alumni are invited to attend the event, which will run from 6:00-9:00 p.m., and includes heavy appetizers, beer, wine, and soft drinks. Those in attendance will also be able to enjoy live music on the patio and mingling with Cleveland State coaches and staff members.

The cost to attend the event is $100 and includes everything mentioned above plus entry into a raffle to win one of the prizes listed above. 

Family, friends, and alumni unable to attend the Welcome Back Soirée in person are still invited to purchase a raffle ticket for $50 with access to win the same great prizes! All proceeds benefit the Viking Fund, the annual fund for the Cleveland State Athletics Department, and will help provide direct financial support in a variety of areas directly impacting the transformational student-athlete experience at Cleveland State through sports performance, nutrition, and sports medicine.