DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE PLAYERS FACE OFF
IN CHARITY SOFTBALL GAME
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Former Mizzou football players joined in on a charity home run derby and slow pitch softball game as part of Jeremy Maclin’s Charity Weekend. The event was open to the public and started at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at Taylor Stadium.
"Football has been such a blessing for me, and I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to give back and support the Mizzou program that means so much to me,” said Maclin. Assisting in the outfield were kids from local beneficiaries Coyote Hill and the Boys and Girls Club of Columbia. All proceeds benefitted these organizations as well as The Jeremy Maclin Foundation. |
Former Mizzou football players came together on Saturday, April 6 at MU's Taylor Stadium to participate in a home run derby and charity softball game, the final event of Jeremy Maclin's Charity Weekend.
Veterans old and new, such as Brad Smith (who played for Mizzou as quarterback 2001-2005) and T.J. Moe (who graduated in December of 2012) were included in the lineup. Even MU's mascot, Truman the Tiger, made an appearance at the game and was popular among the kids in the stands and on the field.
The game was open to the public, and children and parents alike rooted for their favorite player, truly making it a family event.
General admission tickets were just $10, and dugout seats (which provided access to players for autographs) were $20. People were able to purchase tickets at the game or at D. Rowe’s restaurant, Campus Bar & Grill, or the TSF Office in Mizzou Arena before hand.
Charity weekend t-shirts were sold at the game for $15, and concession stand food was also offered. All proceeds went toward The Jeremy Maclin Foundation, which helps young people and families who are forced into alternative living situations, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri, Boys and Girls Club of Columbia, and Coyote Hill Christian Home.
"I think it's just important for everybody to come back here and give back to the place that gave so much to us during our four years here," said Moe.
The afternoon began with a home run derby. Upbeat music poured out of the loudspeakers as former MU wide receiver Tommy Saunders delivered the pitches. Kids from Boys and Girls Club and Coyote Hill Christian Home, as well as Coyote Hill’s adult sponsors, played as outfielders as athletes attempted to crank out 300+ feet hits.
At the conclusion of the home run derby, leaders and kids from Boys and Girls Club and Coyote Hill gathered on the mound with Maclin to be presented donation checks of $2,000. The day before, players visited these organizations to play kickball and basketball with the kids, talk with parents, and to just enjoy each other’s company being reunited for the weekend.
Lastly was the slow pitch tournament, where players were divided into teams based on their football positions, with black jerseys denoting the "Offense" team and gold jerseys indicating "Defense." The public cheered on their favorite former Mizzou players for six innings.
Sean Weatherspoon, former player at Mizzou and current linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, emceed from the defensive dugout over the loud speaker, cracking jokes and teasing opposing teammates.
In the end, the offense emerged victorious. The game ended with a score of 12-2, and players stayed afterward for pictures, autographs, and meet and greets.
“We can’t thank The Jeremy Maclin Foundation enough, not only for the financial support, but also for the fantastic opportunities you gave our children," said one of Coyote Hill's adult leaders. "We loved every moment of it.”
Maclin has been busy with lots of other volunteer activities outside of his charity weekend. A few other things he’s involved in are “JMac’s Back-To-School Packs," youth basketball tournaments, the Jeremy Maclin Fundamental Basketball League, his new event this May called “Maclin’s Mother’s Day Miracles,” sponsoring scholarship opportunities, and almost a half-dozen other community appearances and partnerships.
Veterans old and new, such as Brad Smith (who played for Mizzou as quarterback 2001-2005) and T.J. Moe (who graduated in December of 2012) were included in the lineup. Even MU's mascot, Truman the Tiger, made an appearance at the game and was popular among the kids in the stands and on the field.
The game was open to the public, and children and parents alike rooted for their favorite player, truly making it a family event.
General admission tickets were just $10, and dugout seats (which provided access to players for autographs) were $20. People were able to purchase tickets at the game or at D. Rowe’s restaurant, Campus Bar & Grill, or the TSF Office in Mizzou Arena before hand.
Charity weekend t-shirts were sold at the game for $15, and concession stand food was also offered. All proceeds went toward The Jeremy Maclin Foundation, which helps young people and families who are forced into alternative living situations, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri, Boys and Girls Club of Columbia, and Coyote Hill Christian Home.
"I think it's just important for everybody to come back here and give back to the place that gave so much to us during our four years here," said Moe.
The afternoon began with a home run derby. Upbeat music poured out of the loudspeakers as former MU wide receiver Tommy Saunders delivered the pitches. Kids from Boys and Girls Club and Coyote Hill Christian Home, as well as Coyote Hill’s adult sponsors, played as outfielders as athletes attempted to crank out 300+ feet hits.
At the conclusion of the home run derby, leaders and kids from Boys and Girls Club and Coyote Hill gathered on the mound with Maclin to be presented donation checks of $2,000. The day before, players visited these organizations to play kickball and basketball with the kids, talk with parents, and to just enjoy each other’s company being reunited for the weekend.
Lastly was the slow pitch tournament, where players were divided into teams based on their football positions, with black jerseys denoting the "Offense" team and gold jerseys indicating "Defense." The public cheered on their favorite former Mizzou players for six innings.
Sean Weatherspoon, former player at Mizzou and current linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, emceed from the defensive dugout over the loud speaker, cracking jokes and teasing opposing teammates.
In the end, the offense emerged victorious. The game ended with a score of 12-2, and players stayed afterward for pictures, autographs, and meet and greets.
“We can’t thank The Jeremy Maclin Foundation enough, not only for the financial support, but also for the fantastic opportunities you gave our children," said one of Coyote Hill's adult leaders. "We loved every moment of it.”
Maclin has been busy with lots of other volunteer activities outside of his charity weekend. A few other things he’s involved in are “JMac’s Back-To-School Packs," youth basketball tournaments, the Jeremy Maclin Fundamental Basketball League, his new event this May called “Maclin’s Mother’s Day Miracles,” sponsoring scholarship opportunities, and almost a half-dozen other community appearances and partnerships.