KISS Guitarist Tommy Thayer Drums Up Support for Pacific University Athletes

host Tommy Thayer, KISS guitarist and Pacific University trustee.

Portland, August 25th, 2013. Pacific University supporters were rockin’ the night away at Waverley Country Club to raise money for student-athletes. The Pacific University Legends event was hosted by Beaverton native Tommy Thayer, the guitarist for the legendary rock band KISS. It drew 325 people and grossed nearly $340,000.The unique event features an auction and concert with proceeds benefiting Pacific’s 24-sport NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics program.

Mariko Clark, Pacific trustee Patrick Clark, Pacific president Lesley Hallick, Tommy Thayer and Amber Thayer.

Angie Wright, Gen. James Thayer (J. Thayer Company) and Amber Thayer.

The Cellar Door owner Karen Hinsdale with Sallie Dutton (Stimson-Miller Foundation) and Preisz Associates president Michael Preisz.

: Landscape architect Bennett Burns and Cain Petroleum president Ron Cain.

Cristina Fillinger and Emmert International founder Terry Emmert

Danny Seraphine co-founded Chicago as well as his current band, California Transit Authority.

Pacific University athletics director Ken Schumann and wife Linda join university trustee and alumna Nancy Phillips and husband Paul, a trustee emeritus and alumnus. Pac/West, a leading public affairs and communications firm founded by the Phillips sponsored the Legends reception and dinner.

Guests raised their paddles throughout the evening, making it the most successful Legends auctions ever. Bidders took home everything from a unique guitar signed by the members of KISS to vacation packages for Bali, Costa Rica and South Africa.

Proceeds of the auction and matching gift will help build a roof over the seating area in Lincoln Park Stadium in Forest Grove, where the Pacific University Boxers compete in football, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field.

At the end of the night, Thayer took to the stage, in a concert sponsored by Lease Crutcher Lewis. He was joined by such musical greats as Bill Champlin, former singer and keyboardist for Chicago; Danny Seraphine, original drummer of Chicago; Bobby Kimball, former lead singer of Toto; and Patrick Lamb, Oregon’s own jazz phenom.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.