Saturday’s game ball to make 60-mile relay trek

The inaugural “50 to 50 Military Appreciation Relay Run” will be Saturday, Oct. 5, and it involves a series of runners transporting the game ball for the Charlotte vs. Gardner-Webb football matchup from Boiling Springs to Charlotte (nearly 60 miles).

The event is in conjunction with Military Appreciation Day at UNC Charlotte and is a joint effort by the ROTC programs at the two institutions, which includes the Military Science and Aerospace Studies Departments – Army and Air Force.

The relay begins at 4:15 a.m. inside Gardner-Webb’s Spangler Stadium on the 50-yard line with a moment of silence for fallen heroes of the U.S. Armed Forces. That will be followed by a 75-mm Howitzer cannon salute. The first runner then will leave Spangler Stadium along the route to Jerry Richardson Stadium. The final runner of the relay will be responsible for delivering the football to the game officials prior to the noon kickoff.

The first 20 miles of the run will take place inside Cleveland County and will feature Gardner-Webb and community participants, while the remaining 40 miles will consist of UNC Charlotte representatives.

Donne DeVaughn, master sergeant and military service instructor for the ROTC program at Gardner-Webb, said he hopes this new tradition for both universities will become more than just a fun occasion.

“I’m really excited and the cadets are looking forward to it,” said DeVaughn. “I also want the relay and appreciation day to uphold Army values that a solider honors in accordance with our creed. Never quit. Never accept defeat. Never leave a fallen comrade.”