As a former Lady Lion basketball player and current host of ABC Good Morning America, Robin Roberts is perhaps Southeastern’s most prestigious Alum. The 1983 graduate recently returned, to Southeastern to have her legacy celebrated in a Jersey retirement ceremony that took place in February on Alumni Day prior to a Lady Lions game.

In an effort to raise scholarship money for student athletes, Roberts, in conjunction with the Lady Lions PRIDE (Positive-Role Models involved in the Development of Excellence), program auctioned off a signed number 21 jersey on eBay, a replica of the jersey that graced Roberts back in her days as a center and power forward for the Lady Lions.

“In addition to the framed jersey, the auction package included a retirement ceremony program, specially designed jersey retirement trading card featuring Roberts’, an invitation and ticket to the reception honoring her, and an unused ticket to the game played in conjunction with the retirement ceremony,” said Lori Davis Jones, head coach of the Lady Lion basketball team.

Bidding for the items closed on May 29, but due to a reserve price for the items that wasn’t met, PRIDE chose to reopen the bidding on June 4 and bidding will close today at noon. If the reserve price isn’t met again on the bid, according to Coach Davis Jones the memorabilia will be sold to the highest bidder at a set price or re-listed on eBay at a later date. The status of the auction and bids can be placed at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300558981134, and the items will be shipped free to the winner. All proceeds from the auction will go toward helping PRIDE. This a mentoring program for the Lady Lion basketball players formed in 2007.

The PRIDE program dedicates all the money it raises toward the annual PRIDE scholarship, which provides Lady Lion basketball players with financial support once sport eligibility is complete, so student athletes can continue progress toward their degrees.

“PRIDE has generated more that $50, 000. PRIDE is unique to the Southland Conference and is an invaluable resource to the Lady Lion program,” said Davis Jones.