Orlando, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Hard work. Perseverance. Determination.
Those are some of the many qualities that student-athletes possess that help them excel on the field, in the classroom and later in their careers. Former UCF baseball player and current managing partner at Burr & Forman law firm Eric Golden feels developing these skills through athletics helped him prepare for and get to where he is in life today.
That's why Golden feels it is important to give back to UCF in any way he can, including support of UCF's Everyday Champions scholarship program. Other contributors to this philanthropic donation from Burr & Forman include partners Ty Roofner, Sam Nelson, Brian Watson and Director of Client Relations Michael Haag.
"We're always looking at young people to see how we can help," Golden said of the law firm. "What we've found over the years is that student-athletes in particular, because of the makeup of a lot of them … they're competitive, they work hard, they have drive and desire … things that we also feel successful lawyers need to have."
Senior pitcher Robby Howell is benefitting from Burr & Forman's relationship with UCF Athletics through the Everyday Champions Scholarship program. Howell has been volunteering in the community through Burr and Forman's Academy of Distinguished Gentlemen, which is a program that helps inspire underprivileged children in the Orlando community.
"For us to participate in Everyday Champions and get to meet student-athletes like Robby Howell and to be able to help out student-athletes is great for us," Golden said. "Who knows? These days, at the end of an athletic career, some of these student-athletes may want to come work for us or maybe we can help them get started in some other business."
During Saturday's football game against Maryland, Golden will be on the field as UCF Athletics recognizes the impact he and Burr & Forman have made in the lives of UCF student-athletes.
To hear more about how Golden and Burr & Forman are giving back to UCF, check out the video above. To donate to UCF's Everyday Champions Scholarship fund, click here.