Event At Hudson Park Will Feature Pro Players

HUDSON Two constants that define autumn are the coinciding commencements of football season and a new school year.

Huntington Learning Center is preparing to combine the two today at Veterans Memorial Park for an afternoon of athletics and educational awareness.

Helping with the football portion of the day will be a number of current and former professional players. They will be holding autograph sessions, as well as running group and individual skill clinics and drills.

Chris Garrido, in public relations with HLC, said the exact number of players showing up will be determined today, but there are several strong possibilities, including:

•Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers long-snapper Ryan Benjamin, a River Ridge High and University of South Florida product.

•Former NFL cornerback Corey Sawyer.

•Current Bucs and former Florida Gators Earnest Graham and Ike Hilliard.

•Two-thirds of the place-kicking Gramatica brothers, Santiago and Bill, who played at the University of South Florida.

•Arena Football League players Thaddeus Bullard, Lawrence Samuels, Nyle Wiren and Shane Stafford.

According to an HLC news release, "The event is aimed at raising awareness about Huntington's free tutoring services that are available to qualifying elementary-aged students in Pasco County."

The free services HLC provide are part of the No Child Left Behind Act. Sixteen Pasco elementary schools are qualified to participate.

"One thing we're trying to get out there is that we're strongly encouraging the parents to come to give them the information," Garrido said. Paperwork and aides will be at the park to educate parents on how to take advantage of HLC's services.

The event is free, and anyone is welcome to attend. Food and beverages will be provided.

This is the first year Huntington has held such an event, and plans are for it to become an annual event, Garrido said.

The "Kickoff" is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, north of the intersection of Hicks Road and Hudson Avenue.

For information on the festivities or the Huntington Learning Center, call Garrido at (813) 245-6382. The nearest HLC is at 8647-1 Little Road, New Port Richey.