By: Marlon Trone, Executive Director of Northeast Georgia
On Friday, October 1, in downtown Athens, Georgia, scores of University of Georgia students descended upon the pathways of this college town to watch an epic battle. No! It wasn’t the classic gridiron gathering of SEC gladiators. It was a battle of students with a different purpose in mind – raising funds for charity – and the students were gathered at the request of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and the UGA Red Cross Club.
The Classic City Showdown is a charity boxing event that was created by Delta Sigma Phi in collaboration with the UGA Red Cross Club to raise funds and awareness for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) and the American Red Cross of Northeast Georgia.
This inaugural charity boxing showcase featured amateur athletes from 14 UGA fraternities and six sororities battling it out in the ring. It is the brainchild of Delta Sigma Phi member and finance major, Joseph Boudreau who graciously connected with Ansley Connelly of the UGA Red Cross Club.
The participants trained at Keppner Boxing, an Athens-based gym for weeks leading up to the event to ensure that each fighter had the basic skills needed to safely compete in their debut amateur charity event. Like most boxing matches, the fighters even produced their own training and promotional videos to build excitement and support for the cause. Fighters were led to the ring by their trainers and supporters with theme music included – as their energized entrances were broadcasted onto the big screens inside the arena of the Classic Center. As an added benefit, the organizers even partnered with local restaurants and businesses to simulcast the charity event in an effort to raise additional funds.
By the end of the night, the inaugural Classic City Showdown had raised more than $20,000 for charity. The funds were split equally between the American Red Cross and CHOA. With the ultimate success of this year’s event, plans are already underway for next year.
The American Red Cross of Northeast Georgia is excited to continue its partnership with the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and the amazing students from the University of Georgia.
Sadly, we would also like to extend our heartfelt sympathy and compassion to the family of Ariana Zarse. Ariana was a boxing participant who won her bout but was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident in downtown Athens only days later.
