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The Goodwill Gators program involves every sport at UF. Women and men’s football, basketball, baseball, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball and track and field athletes all get involved in the community service events. Every year each sport competes against each other for the UAA Life Skills Cup Award. The sport that earns the most community service points starting at the beginning of the school year, and concluding at the end of the school year, wins the award.
To keep an update on the scores, the points are tallied up at the end of each month. Currently, the women’s softball team is in the lead. In 2007 and 2008, the women’s basketball team won the award for the most Life Skills Points.
Goodwill Gators helps student athletes engage their personal development and strengthens their commitment to the greater Gainesville and surrounding communities.
For more information about Goodwill Gators, visit. http://www.gatorzone.com/osl/?p=community.
If you are interested in having student athletes at an event, complete the event request form on the web site. Goodwill Gators can also be reached at 352-375-4683. |
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From visiting a girl waiting for a liver transplant to talking to students at different schools, Goodwill Gators, a community service program for student athletes at the University of Florida, collaborates with organizations around Alachua County in connecting with kids. Student athletes participate in weekly activities where they interact with children at different schools, Shands Hospital, Big Brother Big Sister, Habitat for Humanity, or any other organization that seeks the presence of student athletes.
The University Athletic Association receives about four to ten event requests every month from organizations seeking to have student athletes attend their event. Every request is obliged, regardless if they are approved or not.
“Everything we do is pivotal,” said Rew Woodruff, the Champs Life Skills Coordinator for Goodwill Gators. Woodruff said athletes engage with the community and help build community relationships.
Goodwill Gators was given its name in 1998, even though the community service events section at UF has been around as late as 1987.
Since the FCAT has been implemented, several schools were looking to have FCAT Pep Rallies. Student athletes were welcomed to talk about working hard and staying in school. Student athletes also attended the Annual Fifth Avenue Arts Festival, hosted by the Cultural Arts Coalition. Athletes spoke to children about having a positive attitude at all times. Other activities included football players participating in the Rawlings Elementary Block Party by taking photos with kids. This Block Party brought the community together with food and music.
Since the emergence of Goodwill Gators, the program has received nothing but positive feedback through thank you cards, e-mails and phone calls to the Goodwill Gator office. Organizations are appreciative of the athletes who take time out of their day to spend with children. |
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