Geibel raises $15K for AHA
By Brian Betz
For the second-straight year, senior Greg Geibel held "Geibel's Gutter-Ball Fest" to fundraise for the American Heart Association.
And, for the second-straight year, the heart attack survivor's bowling tournament left little to be desired.
Saturday's event collected over $15,000 for the AHA, which was up from the $10,000 raised from last year's tournament.
"It was the greatest success I ever could've imagined," said Geibel, who was taken aback by the support for his cause. "I was amazed to see everyone coming together and having fun while doing a service."
The three-hour event at Palo Alto Bowl charged $100 per-team fees. Yet the money raised from the 32 teams represented only a fraction of the $15,000 raised. Nine individual sponsors each donated between $500 and $2500.
Their desire to be anonymous reflects sponsors' graciousness for their donations not to overshadow Geibel's cause, he said.
"I can't thank them enough because they're allowing me to run with my dreams," Geibel said.
Geibel's dream for doing service for the AHA began in 1999, years after he survived a near-fatal heart attack at 3 years old.
Since that time Geibel's raised over $100,000 for the AHA. He received the 2003 Volunteer of the Year Award for the Silicon Valley after being the area's No. 1 individual fundraiser last year.
"It's just amazing how much dedication he puts into it," said senior Nick Velis, who helped with scorekeeping for the event. "He was so nervous about the event, worried about getting teams. And I was like, 'Greg, people are going to want to come.'"
As it turned out, reservations filled up so quickly that Geibel created a waiting list, on which five alternate teams signed up.
"I was more than surprised that 31 of the 32 teams showed up, considering the distance," said senior Charles Guenther, referring to the venue change from Santa Clara in 2003 to Palo Alto.
Nearly 200 Santa Clara students, many greek-affiliated, came dressed in ridiculous outfits to reflect the fun associated with Geibel's vision for the event.
Geibel's fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, co-sponsored the event by assisting Geibel in tasks leading up to Saturday. As a vice president of Pi Kappa Alpha, Geibel's efforts were a big reason why his house was the No. 1 Pi Kappa Alpha chapter in the nation last year for philanthropic dollars raised.
The greek-community ties, Geibel claims, served as an excellent network, although he says his goal was to expand more to the whole school. Fraternities Pi Kappa Alpha and California Phi, along with sororities Delta Gamma, Alpha Phi and Kappa Alpha Theta, comprised 21 of the 32 teams.
First place went to a team of Pi Kappa Alpha alumni. Prizes were given out during the event, including pitchers of beer, two-night trips to Reno and a customized bowling ball. Both Geibel and Guenther praised Palo Alto Bowl's Director of Marketing Mike Byers, who offered the giveaways as a last-minute gesture.
"He on the day of said 'we have these extra things if you'd want to raffle them off,'" Guenther said. "I think that made the tournament that much better."
As for next year, Geibel's plans for a third-annual "Gutter-Ball Fest" are up in the air.
"I'm not sure if I'm going to continue with my bowling tournament, but I'm going to continue with my involvement," he said.
* Contact Brian Betz at (408) 554-4546 or bbetz@scu.edu.