Gator Country

Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was pretty good passing the medicine ball as he demonstrated in a past Gator Charity Challenge, which will be held tonight at 7, weather permitting, inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. / Gator Country file photo by Tim Casey

The Florida Gators football team concludes its off-season conditioning program with a little charity work tonight in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

The third annual Gator Charity Challenge, which raises money for six Shands-affiliated charity organizations, kicks off at 7 p.m. and admission is free for Gators fans. Fans can enter the stadium at Gates 2 and 3 beginning at 6 p.m.

The challenge is the idea of Florida’s director of strength and conditioning, Mickey Marotti, who has put the Gators through summer workouts to get them in shape for the beginning of preseason practice on Thursday, Aug. 5.

Six teams of players are pitted against each other in three strength and endurance-type competitions: the sled pull, the obstacle course and the farmer’s hold, a new event (it replaces the tire flip) that requires players to hold weights for as long as they can.

“We are proud to put on what has now become an annual event,” Marotti said. The first challenge drew more than 1,800 spectators and last year there were 2,500 fans on hand before inclement weather ended the competition.

Though there is no admission charged, there will be pledge cards available for fans to make donations to one of the six Shands-affiliated charities: the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the March of Dimes, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida, the Shands Cancer Hospital and STOP! Children’s Cancer. The pledge cards allow fans to have an opportunity to donate to one of the causes. Cash and checks will not be accepted on the site; only pledge form donations can be made.

“Each year there has been an increase in awareness and attendance and we are eager to see it grow in both capacities this year,” Marotti said. “It is a great evening for families to come see the Gator football team and create awareness for the six charities involved.”

Six senior players will lead the teams: Safety Ahmad Black (Shands Cancer Hospital), linebacker Lorenzo Edwards (STOP! Children’s Cancer), linebacker A.J. Jones (Ronald McDonald House), defensive tackle Brandon Antwine (American Cancer Society), defensive tackle Terron Sanders (American Heart Association) and defensive end Duke Lemmens (March of Dimes).

A concession stand by Gate 2 of the west side of the stadium will be open. The Gator Sportshop on the northeast corner of the stadium will be open until 6 p.m. and a Sportshop stand will be open on the west concourse through the conclusion of the event.

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