Charity Golf Tournament and Gala Unite College Rivals, Support Under-Resourced Communities and Kick-off Florida-Georgia Football Weekend
ATLANTA, GA – Heisman Trophy winner, University of Florida football legend former NFL Quarterback, and Humanitarian, Danny Wuerffel, will host the 13th Annual Desire Cup “Rivalry for a Cause,” a charity Golf Tournament & Gala Fundraiser, which takes place October 26-27 at the acclaimed TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
Presented by Pilgrim’s and hosted by Danny and The Wuerffel Foundation, this event brings together University of Florida (UF) and University of Georgia (UGA) football alumni, along with a line-up of athletes and celebrities, while serving as the unofficial kick-off to the highly anticipated UF vs. UGA Football Game on Saturday, October 28th in Jacksonville, FL.
The Wuerffel Foundation has a mission to inspire greater service in the world. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit Desire Street Ministries, which lifts-up community leaders in under-resourced neighborhoods. Wuerffel has served as Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries for the past 17 years.
Confirmed participants joining Danny for the event include University of Florida legend, Heisman Trophy winner, and College Football Hall of Famer, Coach Steve Spurrier; sports broadcaster Laura Rutledge; former Gator and NFL Quarterback, Shane Matthews; UGA Kicker and Super Bowl XX Champion, Kevin Butler (Chicago Bears), along with his son Drew, a UGA and NFL Punter; UF and NFL Safety, Major Wright; UGA and NFL WR, Lindsay Scott and several Heisman Trophy winners and PGA Professionals. More celebrity attendees will be announced in the coming weeks.
“The opportunity to bring together alumni and fans from this passionate rivalry, while supporting such a worthy cause, is truly rewarding,” said Wuerffel. “While there is nothing like the Gator-Bulldog rivalry on the field, I could not be prouder of the progress we continue to make off the field through events like the Desire Cup that are making a more meaningful impact in under resourced neighborhoods.”
Added Wuerffel, “It’s a privilege to host this annual event, and I’m truly appreciative to all the Gators and Bulldogs alumni that are committed to attending each year.”
The Desire Cup will kick off with its annual Gala Fundraiser on Thursday, October 26th at TPC Sawgrass to raise funds to help Desire Street support and equip urban leaders who work with children and families living in under-resourced neighborhoods. ESPN and SEC Network reporter Laura Rutledge will return to emcee the event. A very special moment in the evening is the auction of a football signed by children from a Donaldsonville, Louisiana kids center. Wuerffel kept the ball in his office as a memento from his time spent volunteering at the center in 2007, and as a reminder of the value present in every human being. A marquee auction item since 2011, the football is auctioned off annually at each Desire Cup Gala and has raised over $330,000 toward Desire Street’s mission.
The Desire Cup Golf Tournament will take place on Friday, Oct. 27 prior to the annual Florida-Georgia football game in Jacksonville, Fla. on Oct. 28.
Desire Street started its ministry in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, working side-by-side with neighbors to seek solutions for their communities. With headquarters now based in Atlanta, Georgia, Desire Street continues to partner with ministry leaders in multiple neighborhoods and cities across the Southeast, with a focus on long-term revitalization plans that require deep commitment to spiritual and community development.
Stephen Pittman, Director of Oaks Ministries, an organization that brings the hope of the Gospel to students of downtown Augusta through education programs, personal relationships, and Bible-centered teaching, will be recognized at the gala.
The Wuerffel Foundation also annually presents the Wuerffel Trophy, College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service – recognizing a student-athlete who is making a difference and a meaningful impact off the field, and Dillan Gibbons (Florida State), the 2022 Wuerffel Trophy recipient will also be in attendance.
More information and individual and sponsor tickets to the Desire Cup are available here. If unable to attend, supporters can join virtually by donating to the 19th hole fund drive.
ABOUT DESIRE STREET MINISTRIES:
Desire Street Ministries supports leaders in under-resourced neighborhoods to positively influence their communities through coaching, leadership training, economic development, spiritual encouragement, and best practices.
Learn more at desirestreet.org and connect with Desire Street on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
ABOUT WUERFFEL FOUNDATION:
The Wuerffel Foundation exists to support Danny Wuerffel’s life mission to inspire greater service and unity in the world. A recognized humanitarian, Danny counsels and mentors community leaders and facilitates introductions to philanthropically minded supporters.
ABOUT DANNY WUERFFEL:
Danny Wuerffel is a Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer, former NFL quarterback, and renowned humanitarian whose life mission is to inspire greater service and unity in the world. A Florida-native, Wuerffel is widely known for his prolific career at the University of Florida where he led the Gators to four SEC Championships and Florida’s first National Football Championship as the team’s star quarterback. The 1996 Heisman Trophy winner set 17 NCAA and Florida records and won a myriad of other awards including the Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award, and Campbell Award, given to the nation’s top scholar-athlete. Drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1997, Wuerffel would go on to play six seasons in the NFL and NFL Europe before retiring to pursue his true calling –philanthropy and community service. Following his retirement, Wuerffel joined Desire Street Ministries –an organization he began working with during his time at the New Orleans Saints – and became Executive Director of the organization. Additionally, he established and serves as President of The Wuerffel Foundation to further his life mission of inspiring greater service in the world. To learn more, visit www.dannywuerffel.com or follow him on Instagram and Twitter (@DannyWuerffel).
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