TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Kids now have a field to play on at Champions Ranch. Former Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward and his wife, Tonja Ward, cut the ribbon Thursday on the first multisport field at the youth campus they are building on the south side of Tallahassee.
The couple first pitched the idea about three years ago. Crews broke ground on the property, which covers more than 100 acres, less than a year ago, and the field opened after roughly 10 months of construction.
Ward grew up in nearby Thomasville, Ga., won the Heisman Trophy and a national championship with the Seminoles and went on to play in the NBA. At the ceremony he described the ranch as a longer-lasting mark than his athletic honors, something meant to serve children for years.
Sports are only one part of the plan. The ranch is designed to offer education, wellness programs, performing arts and life skills training in one place. Tonja Ward said the next phases include more buildings, indoor court and turf space, room for retreats and overnight camping.
The Big Bend chapter of Boys and Girls Club will run a campus on the property, and the ranch expects to work with more than 30 partner organizations. Antonio Jefferson, who chairs the club, said some of the same children who were on hand for the groundbreaking returned to see the finished field.
The ranch has also launched a $500,000 matching gift challenge to help pay for the work still ahead. Donations given through December count double, with each dollar matched up to that total.
Section: More Tallahassee FL sports news
Filed under: Tallahassee FL Sports News
