Gators help Billy Donovan win $100,000 for new UF children’s hospital

Author: Unknown Publication Date: Tuesday March 22, 2011

Thanks to Gators like you, head basketball coach Billy Donovan won a healthy donation that could help UF build a new children’s hospital in Gainesville.

Donovan was one of 14 NCAA basketball coaches competing in the national ESPN “Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge.” Website visitors were invited to vote once a day for their favorite coach, with the winning coach receiving $100,000 for the charity of his choice.

Donovan teamed up with the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation to help UF&Shands raise money for the Shands Hospital for Children and Women. Gators responded, vaulting Donovan over the other coaches to win the challenge March 12.

“I really appreciated all the people who voted,” Donovan said. “I think the money is certainly going to a good cause for Gainesville and for a children’s hospital. I mean, just to be a part of it, I appreciate it. ... We raised some good money for a good cause.”