Vince Wilfork to Throw Out First Pitch at FSU Game
April 8, 2004
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Former University of Miami defensive tackle Vince Wilfork will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Miami vs. Florida State baseball game Saturday, April 17th.
Game time is set for 7 pm, with gates opening at 5:30 pm for advanced ticket holders.. The first 3,000 fans through the gates will receive a free limited edition Pat Burrell Hurricanes Legend Bobblehead doll.
The “Big Daddy Draft Day Fest,” a draft-day party for the top NFL draft prospect and former Hurricanes football player, will be held at GameWorks, Shops At Sunset Place from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on April 24, 2004.
Wilfork, a former University of Miami defensive tackle, won the hearts of fans that supported him through an exceptionally tough year in 2002. Wilfork tragically lost both of his parents in 2002, his mother to a stroke, and his father to diabetes. Wilfork’s strength and motivation to continue on in football has been inspirational not only to Miami fans, but to the community as well.
Fans attending the Big Daddy Draft Day Party will have the opportunity to watch first hand as Vince learns where his NFL career will begin. ESPN will feature live coverage, Vince will interact with fans, special celebrity appearances are scheduled, and the NFL Draft will be broadcast on every TV inside GameWorks for the full Draft Day experience.
Fans will also be able to bid on a variety of exclusive silent auction items, including autographed merchandise, UM tickets and a trip to see Vince play in his first NFL game. All proceeds benefit the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI). GameWorks will also sell a Big Daddy game card for 4 hours of game play, with partial proceeds benefiting DRI. Wilfork has pledged to match all donations received, and a check presentation will follow the draft.
The Diabetes Research Institute is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Pioneering new technologies in islet cell transplantation since the early 1970’s, the DRI has successfully reversed diabetes in patients involved in ongoing clinical trials
