Tocco Challenge change-up

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This year marks the 10th Tocco Challenge at Hillsdale College, and the end of the event as it has been known.

Don Tocco, a businessman and longtime donor to the college, is pitted against the combined-average score of college athletes in various athletic contests. Each athlete is sponsored by a different campus organization. If an athlete wins the challenge, Tocco donates $25,000, spread equally among the participating organizations. If Tocco wins, he still donates $15,000.

This year, however, will be the last year the challenge is solely in sporting events.

“Mr. Tocco is planning to discontinue the sports challenge as we’ve known it for the last 10 years, but he is still interested in doing some type of event or challenge in another field,” said Rebekah Dell, associate dean of women. “He is a man of many interests and sports are one interest, but he also has a love for the arts; he writes poetry and sculpts, so he wants to interact with those mediums as well.”

The reason for the change is to allow more students to compete in the challenge.

“We have done the same thing basically for 10 years, and I think it’s just time to change it up. I will be talking to Dr. Arnn to brainstorm with him for next year’s challenge,” Tocco said. “I’m thinking of opening it up to art, literature and possibly music, but having said that, I will continue to compete with the athletic teams for money, but it will not be in front of the student body.”

A change in pace for this year’s challenge is that the varsity football athletes will not be participating; instead, the club sports teams will get the chance to compete.

“Incorporating the club sports teams for the football portion will allow more students to get involved, and will help raise funds to support our club sports,” Dell said.

To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the event, Tocco plans to give T-shirts to all who attend. Dinner will then be provided for everyone during the chess match that concludes the challenge. Also, there is going to be a party afterward with giveaways and drawings, Dell said.

“I look forward to the challenge because it gives me the opportunity to talk about personal excellence, especially the fact that we must maintain a healthy body to have a full and vital life,” said Tocco. “And it allows me to meet and befriend many of the athletes.”

Many students on campus look forward to the challenge as well.

“I am very excited for this year’s Tocco Challenge,” said senior Scott Lantis, captain of the baseball team. “We are very appreciative of all the support he’s given the college, especially the baseball team.”

Tocco came to Hillsdale College’s campus for the first home football game against Ohio Dominican University and stopped by the baseball team’s practice to talk with the athletes and take some swings in practice.

“It’s great that we get a chance to interact with him because he’s full of wisdom and a huge Chargers fan,” Lantis said.

Lantis believes Tocco will win the challenge, but hopes a Charger athlete will win.

“Hopefully a Charger will win because it’s going to be the last challenge of its kind, but Mr. Tocco’s in great shape and he’s a phenomenal athlete,” Lantis said.

This year’s challenge will take place on Oct. 7.

“The challenge is my favorite time of year,” Tocco said. “It’s like Christmas day for me.”