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Coach Leavitt To Speak At Luncheon

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By RAY REYES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 16, 2008

PLANT CITY - The man who has guided the University of South Florida Bulls football team to national prominence in the past 12 years will be the guest speaker Thursday at a fundraising luncheon for local Boy Scouts.

With his focus on teamwork and hard work, USF head football coach Jim Leavitt was the perfect choice for this year's Friends of Scouting Luncheon, said Steve Cox, senior district executive for the Gulf Ridge Council's Timucua District of the Boy Scouts of America.

"We're excited about Jim Leavitt coming to speak," Cox said. "He's big on teamwork, work ethic and leadership."

The luncheon starts at noon Thursday and will be held at First United Methodist Church's Wesley Centre at Wheeler and Reynolds streets.

More than 200 people are expected to attend, said JoAnna Franz, assistant to luncheon chairman Dean Snyder.

The event is open to the public with a minimum $25 per person donation to the Boy Scouts, Cox said.

Proceeds will benefit local Scouting units in Plant City and Brandon, as well as the organization's Scoutreach program, which helps young people have an opportunity to join regardless of economic or ethnic background, Cox said.

This year's goal is to raise about $55,000 for Plant City Scouting units, Cox said.

Choosing a guest speaker who lives and breathes football has become somewhat of a tradition for the luncheon in the past several years. Brian Holloway, a former NFL player with the New England Patriots, spoke in 2007, Cox said. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers fullback and fan favorite Mike Alstott spoke at the luncheon in 2006, Cox said.

Football players and coaches are well-versed in "the importance of working as a team," one of the values of the Boy Scouts, Franz said. Leavitt is known to build strong character among his players, Franz said.

"We look for a guest speaker familiar with working with young people," Franz said. "To help them become a better person, not only succeeding in Scouting but succeeding in life. That's Leavitt's attitude, too: Build character, and the rest follows."

Leavitt is the only head coach the USF football program has had. Starting in 1995, he built the Bulls into a contender and has led the team to three bowl berths. The Bulls finished 9-4 last season and were ranked as high as No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings.

A presentation at the luncheon will honor retired lawyer and community leader Bob Edwards, an Eagle Scout who played a key role in revitalizing the downtown historical district and has been involved in the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. Edwards will be presented with a distinguished citizen award, Franz said.

This is the seventh year the council recognizes someone for their community involvement and Scouting affiliations. Previous honorees include former Mayor John Dicks, Charles White and Robert Trinkle.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Friends of Scouting Luncheon, a fundraiser held by the Gulf Ridge Council's Timucua District of the Boy Scouts of America
WHEN: Noon Thursday

WHERE: First United Methodist Church's Wesley Centre, Reynolds and Wheeler streets

COST: $25 minimum donation

INFO: Seating is limited, and event organizers are taking reservations at (813) 752-2505.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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