Students, faculty, alumni and rock enthusiasts all turned out for the Sacramento State Geology Club’s third annual Rock Auction Friday in the Alumni Center.

The auction was split into a silent auction which had 10 tables of different rocks and another table of garden rocks, and a live auction with 19 unique items, including an 1862 map of mountain ranges, a shark tooth and an Eocene fish fossil.

The Geology Club provided food and drinks, games for children, and door prizes such as three family passes to Scandia and a pass for rock climbing.

The event’s sole purpose is to raise funds for the geology club, said Melinda Fredericksen, the club president.

Part of the funding goes to cover the cost of field trips, Fredericksen said. “We go on multiple field trips to places like Red Rock Canyon and Goleta, some costing up to $200 and lasting up to five days.”

“So it’s about a week off from work, which means missed pay or used vacation time and we’re out doing homework,” Fredericksen said.

“In fact, I’ve spent about $500 just on equipment,” Fredericksen said. “Geology is an expensive major.”

Last year’s event brought in about 150 people and $5,000 from the auction, Fredericksen said.

Assistant English professor Jason Gieger said he has come to the event each year and that he’s been interested in geology since he was an undergraduate student.

“I like the idea of supporting the Geology Club,” Gieger said. “I like supporting the CSU Sacramento campus life here on a Friday night as well.”

Hugh Brady, a former civil engineer and member of the Roseville Rock Rollers, said he knows how hard it is to find some of the auction items because he’s tried to find them himself.

“I really appreciate the good stuff you’ve got here,” Brady said. “I run the auction for my club.”

Tom Roberts can be reached at [email protected]