UF Football Getting Involved in the Community
Friday, February 20, 2009 | Football
In addition to his on the field accomplishments, University of Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer has also championed efforts in community service.
A new initiative beginning in 2009, UF football players will perform more than 400 hours of community service annually, as each student-athlete will attend at least two Goodwill Gator events per semester.
A new program beginning in the spring of 2009, the “Swamp Field Trip” is available to local middle schools as a reward for their students who achieve good grades, are involved in community service, have had major improvements, etc. The students will have the opportunity to speak with a group of players and have a special tour of the football facility given by the players.
The UF football team held the inaugural Gator Charity Challenge in August of 2008 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in front of approximately 1,800 people. The fundraiser featured the 2008 Gators challenging each other in a series of strength competitions to raise funds and awareness for six charities that were selected by the football program and are affiliated with Shands, a University partner. The charities were the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Children's Miracle Network, March of Dimes and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The Gator Charity Challenge was held in association with Uplifting Athletes.
In the spring of 2008, Florida Coach Urban Meyer initiated a mentor program for young at-risk males. Working with the African-American Accountability Alliance of Alachua County task force, the program BLAQUE (Bold Leaders, Achieving Quality, Unity and Excellence) was developed. The program partnered 15 area middle school children with a Gator football player and a community leader. The goal is to affect change in the lives of at-risk black youth.
In the spring of 2005 and 2006, Meyer worked closely with student-body leaders on campus on a community service initiative surrounding the annual Orange and Blue Spring Game. Student leaders sold Orange and Blue spirit bands prior to the Spring Game with proceeds benefiting the Children's Miracle Network. Fans who purchased the bands were then asked to assist members of the UF coaching staff and football team in the planning of more than 400 crape myrtle trees on Radio Road on campus.
UF Football Contacts for the program are Terry Jackson, Mark Campbell and Heather Bennett.
Typical events from the month of February:
- Gator Club, Shands Pediatric Unit - Visit the kids in the pediatric unit at Shands and interact with them by coloring and playing board and video games.
- Gator Literacy - Designed to promote reading and literacy in Alachua County, players will read stories to children during their lunch time.
- Stephen Foster Elementary - Interact with 4th and 5th graders in an after-school program designed to promote fitness and physical activity.
- Idylwild Elementary - Interact with 3rd graders by helping them develop their reading skills and physical fitness.
- Fort Clarke Middle School – Speak with a group of male students about goals, aspirations and plans for the future.
- Sidney Lanier – Will take place in the O'Connell Center weight room. Interact with disabled children by helping them develop physical fitness.
- FCAT Writing Pep Rally – Speak to a group of 4th graders on the importance of academics.
- Bowl for Kids Sake – Fund raising campaign benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida.
- Jump Rope for Heart – Interact with kids and assist them with jump roping. Event will take place at JJ Finley Elementary.
- Shands Award Ceremony – Morale / Team Building Competition
- Shands Cancer Ward – Visit and uplift teens that are undergoing chemotherapy.
- Pack 371 Blue & Gold Banquet – Interact with a group of Boy Scouts at their annual banquet.
- Abundant Grace Community Church – Motivational speaking event.
