Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Eric Land (center) presents a check to the Tampa Bay Sports Commission
In 1997, Malcolm Glazer, owner and president of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, met with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and made the following commitment: For the next 30 years, his team would contribute $7,500 to the TBSC for every regular season game the Buccaneers won.
To everyone's delight, Mr. Glazer's contribution was at the high end of the spectrum this year.
On Thursday, the Glazer Family Foundation presented a check for $82,500 to the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, representing the Bucs' division-winning 11 victories in 2005 season. Eric Land, the team's chief operating officer, presented the check to Tampa Bay Sports Commission Chairman Jeff Adams and Executive Director Rob Higgins.
The Tampa Bay Sports Commission is a non-profit organization that serves the entire Tampa Bay area as the leader for bidding on and hosting major amateur sporting events. The mission of the organization is to attract, promote and/or organize major amateur sporting events and grassroots youth sports programs that foster the ongoing development and quality of life for the entire Tampa Bay area.
"I think it's important to note that professional sports can't possibly exist without amateur athletics being the supporting mechanism to make it work, " said Land. "I think it's important for us to not only continue to support this but for the entire community to realize how very critical the commission and its work is for the Bay area."
The Tampa Bay Sports Commission will use the funds to support its annual events, including all-star soccer games for Bay area children as well as the local High School Football Combine, which helped 28 area high school athletes earn college scholarships last year.
"Thank you to the Glazer Family Foundation for all that is provided to our community and the children of our community by contributing this money," said Adams. "From the kids of the community, we really appreciate it."
