BUTTE, Montana – It was a night for the record book at the Miner's Ball Digger Auction held Saturday in the HPER Complex on the campus of Montana Tech. In addition to recording record-high revenues at the annual athletics fundraiser, a special announcement from one Montana Tech alumnus and former student-athlete capped the historic event.
 
In a video sent from his office in Houston, Conoco Phillips CEO and 1984 graduate Ryan Lance announced a $1,000,000 gift from him and his wife Lisa. The gift will be made to the Digger Athletic Endowment, providing annual scholarship support to Digger Athletics and the student-athletes at Montana Tech. In the video, Lance explains that their gift is being made to improve the athletic experience at Montana Tech. "We've all seen what these sports programs have brought to our school," said Lance. "Let's keep it going AND growing".
 
"This was the largest single gift in the history of Digger Athletics," said Montana Tech Director of Athletics Matt Stepan. "We can't thank Ryan and Lisa enough for their continued investment in Montana Tech and Digger Athletics. A gift like this will make an immediate and significant positive impact on our mission to recruit the best and brightest student-athletes in Montana, the region, and beyond".
 
The gift was accompanied by the announcement by Stepan and Montana Tech Foundation CEO Jaime Heppler of the goal to increase the Digger Athletic Fund to $3 million by the 2025-2026 academic year.
 
"Our Digger Endowment, established in 2015 with a leadership contribution by Jerry and Julie Schuyler, has provided the additional scholarship funding needed to help produce the increased growth and success we've seen over the last 7+ years. The unrivaled contribution from Ryan and Lisa will not only contribute to the immediate success of our programs but can act as a catalyst that creates the momentum needed to reach our $3 million goal," added Stepan.
 
The Lance gift also included $40,000 in immediate use scholarship funds, which the auction attendees were challenged to meet through their donations to the Digger Annual Scholarship Fund Saturday night. Not only did they meet that goal, but the generosity of the crowd resulted in donations of over $90,000. This, along with the very generous bids in the live and silent auctions, resulted in a record-setting evening.
 
"We can't thank the Butte, campus, and alumni communities enough for all that was done to make this historic night a success. As the Institution of Opportunity and Innovation, the opportunities for our current and future Orediggers took a giant leap forward thanks to the support of so many. Special thanks to our presenting sponsor Conoco Phillips for once again supporting our auction, to the Montana Tech Foundation for working with Ryan and Lisa on this momentous contribution, and to all that gave donations, items, bids, and overall support to the Miner's Ball. It is truly moving to see the level of support dedicated to our student-athletes.
  
The annual Miner's Ball Digger Auction is held each spring and is the signature fundraising event of the Digger Athletic Association. You can visit GoDiggers.com for information on everything Digger Athletics. For information on the Digger Athletic Endowment Fund or to contribute, you can visit the Montana Tech Foundation website at impact.mtech.edu or contact Tommy Heppler at theppler@mtech.edu.