July 16, 2024
Tim Tebow Delivers Inspiring Speech at 2024 Villages Buffalo Stampeders Gala
By Kyle Coppola
Tim Tebow Delivers Inspiring Speech at 2024 Villages Buffalo Stampeders Gala
THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Tim Tebow served as the guest speaker at the 2024 Buffalo Stampeders Gala, following in the footsteps of previous keynote speakers Ted Nugent, Herschel Walker, and Misty May-Treanor.
Tebow dedicated an hour to meeting athletes from The Villages Youth Sports Club, the Buffalo Stampeders, signing autographs, taking photos, and interacting with attendees.
(Photo Credit: India Pantin/Buffalo Stampeders)
After a private dinner, Tebow took the stage to address a crowd of more than 300 guests. His 45-minute speech touched on his upbringing, playing youth sports, the importance of community support for young athletes, and how to transform a successful platform into significant impact.
“We can turn success into significance by the way we care about other people,” Tebow said.
The event featured both silent and live auctions, along with additional in-person and digital opportunities to support Buffalo Stampeders programs. Among the most sought-after auction items were a custom alligator-themed golf cart autographed by Tebow, a two-day suite experience at THE Players Championship next March at TPC Sawgrass in Jacksonville, and a private hunting trip.
(Photo Credit: India Pantin/Buffalo Stampeders)
During the gala, the Buffalo Stampeders unveiled their newest sport, track and field, as announced by new director James Probola. This addition brings the number of sport programs offered by the Buffalo Stampeders to 13.
In total, the 2024 Buffalo Stampeders Gala raised $1 million for its youth sports programs and athletes.
Josh Yoder, President of the Buffalo Stampeders, expressed gratitude for the community’s support. “The reason that the Buffalo Stampeders is where we are is because of our community and the support behind us. There can’t be enough thanks given or said,” Yoder said.
The Buffalo Stampeders extended their heartfelt thanks to all community partners and supporters who attended the 2024 Buffalo Stampeders Gala. Their unwavering support helps fulfill the mission to develop the youth of Central Florida by providing lifelong learning experiences through participation in sports.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
