Preds Thank Fans For Assistance
Orlando, Fla. (Feb. 6) -- Sometimes things come together quickly, not by plan...but by necessity. Such was the case when the Orlando Predators learned of the plight of the South Central Tigers, an inter-city Pop Warner team, who had their dreams smashed just a few weeks ago.
Thieves, probably searching for copper to sell as scrap metal, broke into the team's double wide trailer that doubled as a film room, meeting room, coach's office, equipment storage bin, and tutoring room for the players and destroyed the trailers two air conditioning units.
They then proceeded to trash the trailer, poking holes in the walls and turning over tables and chairs, soiling the carpet, and squirting mustard and ketchup over the walls. More dastardly, they also took it upon themselves to smash several boxes of trophies that were being stored for the team's upcoming banquet -- including championship trophies for the "Midget" team that recently concluded a 16-0 season and won the national championship at Disney's Wide World of Sports.
"The bottom line is theses kids worked so hard all season long and now we were faced with the possibility of not being able to give them their trophies," Coach Sue Plowden said. "Many of our kids come from economically disadvantaged and at-risk backgrounds and it broke our hearts that their dreams lay smashed on the floor."
The Orlando Predators learned of the team's plight from season ticket holder Ann Whittle, who wanted to help replace the trophies but thought the Predators might want to get involved. "Ann's business, Trophies Unlimited, was one of my accounts," Predators account executive Mike Von Waldner recalled. "She said that she wanted to help this team and thought we might want to get involved. I passed her on to the appropriate people on our end to get the ball rolling."
The Predators agreed to split the cost of the trophy replacement with Ms. Whittle and then contacted the South Central Tigers to see what other assistance they needed. Predators lineman Greg White volunteered to appear at a Jan. 27 charity car wash to help wash cars, sign autographs and lend support. Those efforts raised $700.
Predators president Brett Bouchy announced the team would make an additional cash donation to help with the damages and .orlandopredators.com invited fans to send additional donations to the team.
At the banquet honoring the national champions last Saturday, the team received their trophies on schedule and Predators public relations director Dan Pearson presented the South Central Tigers with additional checks totaling $1,000. All of the efforts came within a 10-day window.
"The Orlando Predators are a championship organization and so are the South Central Tigers," Bouchy said. "What those thieves did to those kids and that program was unconscionable. We were honored to help correct the problem and certainly want to thank our fans that helped make this a great night for an outstanding group of athletes."
In additional to the financial support, the Preds will host and recognize the team at an upcoming Predators home game.
For more Orlando Predators information log onto: OrlandoPredators.com.
