Home » Florida Tech ‘Chopper Dropper’ Attracts Record Crowd

Florida Tech ‘Chopper Dropper’ Attracts Record Crowd

By  //  March 22, 2013

PHILANTHROPY & STYLE

ABOVE VIDEO: Major sponsors for the Florida Institute of Technology’s 10th Annual Chopper Dropper included Audi of Melbourne; Dean Mead; BISK Education; Broken Barrel Tavern; National Management Resources; Coca Cola; Tony Weight; Berman Hopkins, Wright & LaHam; Carrabba’s Italian Grill; Hooters of Melbourne; Maverick Multimedia; Matt’s Casbah and Walmart Neighborhood Market.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Florida Institute of Technology’s 10th Annual Chopper Dropper, part of the annual Sporting Affair athletics scholarship fundraiser, was held March 15 at the Suntree Country Club and attracted a record crowd.

Josh Baker, center, took the grand prize at the Florida Institute of Technology’s 10th Annual Chopper Dropper, part of the annual Sporting Affair athletics scholarship fundraiser. Pictured with Baker above is Matt Kilcullen, assistant vice president, athletic fundraising, left, and Bill Jurgens, director of athletics. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

The event delivered cash prizes to 17 lucky winners, including Josh Baker of Jacksonville, who took the $50,000 grand prize, and Paul DeKany of Merritt Island who won $10,000. The annual event was part of Sporting Affair XXI.

Exactly 2,000 numbered golf balls were loaded into a helicopter and dropped on the driving range at Suntree. The ball that landed closest to the flag—Baker’s ball, number 844—won.

Florida Tech President Anthony J. Catanese reveals the winning ball. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)

Fifteen runner-up prizes of $1,000 each went to Rebecca Archer of Melbourne, Joel Boyd of Melbourne, Dennis Brady of Melbourne; Cathy Bright of Satellite Beach; LJ Burr of Indian Harbour Beach; Thomas Darnell of Melbourne; Joe Eckelman of Hopewell Junction, N.Y.; Lesley Fletcher of Melbourne; Will Griffin of Orlando; Allison Heinen of Indian Harbour Beach; Craig Koproski of St. Augustine; Kevin Price of Melbourne; Jack Pruitt of Indialantic; John Wicklund of Melbourne; and Milt Winter of Melbourne.

Exactly 2,000 numbered golf balls were loaded into a helicopter and dropped on the driving range at Suntree. The ball that landed closest to the flag—Baker’s ball, number 844—won. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)

BEST FUND RAISER EVER

Chopper participants also had the opportunity to attend a cocktail buffet reception with food provided by Broken Barrel Tavern, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Matt’s Casbah. Guests participated in a silent auction and raffle.

Chopper participants also had the opportunity to attend a cocktail buffet reception with food provided by Broken Barrel Tavern, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Matt’s Casbah. Guests participated in a silent auction and raffle. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)

“It was just a beautiful day for a golf event and fun for everyone,” said Matt Kilcullen, assistant vice president for athletic fundraising.

“We’re very grateful for all who participated in what was probably our best fund-raiser ever for athletic scholarships.”

Sporting Affair XXI also included a golf tournament with a $1 million hole-in-one shootout sponsored by Berman Hopkins, Wright & LaHam.

Major sponsors included Audi of Melbourne; Dean Mead; BISK Education; Broken Barrel Tavern; National Management Resources; Coca Cola; Tony Weight; Berman Hopkins, Wright & LaHam; Carrabba’s Italian Grill; Hooters of Melbourne; Maverick Multimedia; Matt’s Casbah and Walmart Neighborhood Market.

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