Marist Madness 2024: Elevating Athletic Excellence Through Community Support

Marist Madness was not only a night of entertainment and fundraising but also a testament to the strong sense of community within Marist School. Athletic Director Derek Waugh ’89, reflecting on the event's success, emphasized its significance beyond the festivities.

"Marist Madness was a rousing success," Waugh remarked, "primarily because it allowed all of us in the athletic community to come together for a night of fun, fellowship, and celebration. It was a great fundraiser which allows our teams to stay on the cutting edge of competitiveness in the state of Georgia." He continued, "Even though we have moved to the second-highest class in the state of Georgia, with less than 800 students, Marist has managed to be the most successful athletic program in the state. This determination is based on the Directors Cup, State Championships, and Region Championships."

The event featured an electrifying lineup of entertainment, with music provided by the talented Johnny Utah. As guests mingled and enjoyed the festivities, they also had the opportunity to catch up on the latest action from the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, broadcasted live on big screens throughout the venue.

A highlight of the evening was the live auction, offering an array of exclusive experiences and coveted prizes. Attendees had the chance to bid on VIP tickets to the opening weekend Braves game, dream seats for the 2024 Marist football season positioned right on the 50-yard line, luxury seat tickets to catch Justin Timberlake live at the State Farm Arena, and tickets to witness the historic 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.

For golf enthusiasts, the auction featured tickets to Sunday at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, as well as passes to the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. Sports fans also had the opportunity to secure tickets to the highly anticipated UGA vs. Clemson matchup at the Peach Bowl.

Another significant aspect of the event highlighted by Athletic Director Waugh was the opportunity Marist Madness provided for parents and coaches to connect away from the pressures of competition. "In my opinion," Waugh said, "we have the best coaches in the state, and the best parents in the state. While modern parents are often criticized for being too involved or too worried about their own kids instead of the team, the overwhelming majority of our parents are here to support the entire mission of teams and the athletic department."

Reflecting on his own experience as a student-athlete at Marist, Waugh concluded, "My time as a student within the athletic department at Marist was my most beneficial at the school. We will never stop teaching lessons that stay with students for the rest of their lives: character, self-responsibility, hard work, enthusiasm, and being a part of something bigger than themselves. These timeless values taught by Christ live on through what we try and do in athletics.”

The generosity of all who contributed to the success of Marist Madness has played a vital role in ensuring the continuous growth and achievements of athletics at Marist School. We look forward to seeing the impact of their support as our War Eagles continue to strive for excellence in the years to come.