UF Football to Hold Gator Charity Challenge
Thursday, July 17, 2008 | Football
The University of Florida football team will hold the inaugural Gator Charity Challenge on Friday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The fundraiser will feature the 2008 Gators challenging each other in a series of strength competitions. The event is weather permitting and will be free and open to the public.
The squad will be divided into teams that will represent six charities: American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Children's Miracle Network, March of Dimes and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
“This is the first time that our strongman competition will be open to the public,” said Mickey Marotti, director of strength and conditioning. “While this event has always strengthened team chemistry, we also wanted to raise awareness of these six charities. Many players on our team have special ties to the foundations and we thought it would be a great way to honor them while getting the community involved as well.”
Pledge cards will be available on the West Concourse for fans to have an opportunity to donate to the six worthy causes. Cash and checks will not be accepted on site, only pledge form donations. Each person who fills out a pledge card will receive a raffle ticket and become eligible to receive an assortment of Florida Gator paraphernalia.
The Gator Charity Challenge will feature players competing in six events, all being held simultaneously. Every player will participate in four to six events, including an obstacle course, sled push, torpedo hold and tire flips.
All fans must enter Florida Field via the West Concourse entrance. The gates will open at 6 p.m.
The Gator Charity Challenge is being held in association with Uplifting Athletes, a charitable organization leading an effort to align college football with the awareness of rare diseases and raise them as a national priority. For more information, please visit www.gatorzone.com or www.upliftingathletes.org.
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