The 24th annual Sam Houston State football dinner and auction looks to be bigger and better than ever as the affair has been set for Friday July 27 at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

"Our fans are still talking about the success of the 2011 auction," Fritz said of last year's  event which featured the largest auction crowd ever attending to help raise money through their bids for the Bearkat football enrichment fund. "We've got even more exciting items up for bid this year and, when you buy a ticket, you're helping create an even stronger Sam Houston football program."

Doors will open and the silent auction will begin at 5 p.m.

"The football staff is so grateful for all the people who attend and bid on all the great items," Sam Houston head coach Willie Fritz said. "Every year this great event just gets better and better. We also appreciate all those who donated items and services for auction and who worked so hard to make the event the success it was. We are excited about the direction of our program and the young men who are representing our university and community."

For more information about the 2012 Bearkat Football Dinner and Auction, please contact Rhonda Curry at the Sam Houston State athletic department either by email at rcurry@shsu.edu or by telephone at (936) 294-4205.

Among the top items at last year's live auction:

Autographed Vince Young UT framed photograph	Andre Ware UH framed photograph, artwork
University of Texas National Champs jacket	Utes autographed helmet
Pittsburgh Steelers framed photo	Autographed Mini-Helmets
Sports items, jersies, autographed footballs and photos were only part of the exciting items up for bid at the football auction	Aaron Kampman autographed Green Bay Packer helmet up for bid in 2011
Fantastic sports items were up for bid at the auction	Earl Campbell Autographed photo up for bid in 2011
Bidding during the 2010 "silent auction"	"Dandy" Don Meredith autographed picture available in 2011 auction