Sarasota College Football “Turkey Bowl” Is Thanksgiving Win For All Faiths Food Bank

New College again won the premier matchup of Sarasota college flag football clubs, with a 20-0 trouncing over Ringling College of Art and Design, but participants agree the true winner was All Faiths Food Bank.
Laura Coyle, the charity’s director of marketing, said the game raised more than $1,700 in cash donations – enough to provide 100 turkey dinners with all the trimmings at Thanksgiving.
Spectators also donated 629 pounds of food, enough for an estimated 755 meals.
“This generosity is so much more than food. It brings hope and a warm Thanksgiving dinner to families that would otherwise go without,” Coyle said. “We appreciate the hard work and planning that went into creating such a wonderful collaboration. Everyone was a winner on game day.”
Both colleges’ presidents praised the game’s organizers, New College’s Michael Long and Ringling College’s Hunter Thompson, for their efforts.
“You did an amazing job in bringing together two great educational institutions in a wonderful rivalry for such a worthwhile cause,” said Larry R. Thompson, president of Ringling College, who lost the presidents’ wager and had to serenade the winning team. “Although I did not care for the result, it was a lot of fun and a great afternoon.”
Said New College President Donal O’Shea: “I echo the thanks and the praise. The only spot where I differ from Larry is that I loved the result.”
The colleges also thank Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Sodexo and Chartwells, which provided free drinks and food for the game. Students hope to put on another charity flag football game in the spring.