Players representing UF Student Affairs raised $5,000 for a local elementary school renovation project after winning a charity kickball tournament in southwest Gainesville on Saturday.
The daylong contest pitted UF Student Affairs against more than 40 local businesses and organizations during the seventh annual Alachua County Emerging Leaders Champions for Charity kickball tournament at Diamond Sports Park, located at 4000 SW 122nd St.
The tournament collected $11,600 in sponsor money and entry fees.
UF Student Affairs won the tournament for the second year in a row, defeating the Gainesville Health and Fitness Center’s Balls & Dolls 7-0 during the championship game.
The team’s winnings will be donated to Project Makeover, a volunteering project that has renovated local needy elementary schools since 2008.
Kevin Johnson, a 29-year-old player for the UF Student Affairs team, said the event was a way to bring people together for a good cause.
“I don’t think anybody can come out here and say this wasn’t a success,” he said.
Newberry Mayor Bill Conrad praised the arrangement Newberry and Gainesville have in managing Diamond Sports Park, which Newberry operates within Gainesville city limits.
The tournament began at about 10 a.m. with the teams lining up on the main field. The opening ceremony started with addresses from Alachua County Emerging Leaders President Andrew Romero, Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe and Conrad.
Lowe later said Saturday’s tournament was the first time he’s attended since being elected mayor almost three years ago.
“It’s great to see people from various companies and organizations come together for charity to make our community a better one,” he said.
Lowe threw the first pitch to Conrad. Lowe admitted he was rusty because he hadn’t held a kickball in more than 40 years.
The Champions for Charity kickball tournament has raised more than $45,000 since 2007.
Romero said Alachua County Emerging Leaders raises awareness of local, young professionals in the city and throughout Alachua County.
He added his organization and events, like the kickball tournament, are needed to support the local community.
“We’re trying to make this community a livable place for young people,” he said. “There’s a lot of youthful creativity here — young people who are doing stuff — and I kind of see our organization as one of the connecting forces between all of them.”
Lowe couldn’t resist using wordplay to commend the Alachua County Emerging Leaders.
“They really do step up to the plate to come together for the entire community,” he said.
Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe makes the opening pitch at the 2013 Alachua County Emerging Leaders Champions for Charity kickball tournament. The mayor pitched the opening kickball to Newberry Mayor Bill Conrad. The tournament collected about $11,600.
