Tocco Challenge on hold due to donor's shoulder injury
Maria Schmitt
Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Your News
"We could do something fun and get more people involved," he said.
At 61, Tocco realizes he will not be able to beat college students in athletic competitions for many more years, so a different kind of competition could be inevitable.
Senior Tony Bechtol, who helped organize the event for two years, said he loves that the event helped bring the campus' Greek community together.
"Mr. Tocco really enjoys it and it's fun that he comes back every year," Bechtol said. "It's nice to bring him back and show him our appreciation."
Bechtol said he likes Tocco's suggestion of bringing new talents to the competition to engage more of campus.
Each year, Tocco challenged students representing each Greek house on campus to a series of athletic competitions. He guaranteed $25,000 to the house with the winning competitor and if he won, he donated $15,000. Oftentimes, Tocco's business associates bet against him, bringing in even more money. Tocco has won four times and lost twice.
Senior Claire Aubrey made it to the final round - chess - last year, and lost.
Aubrey said she thinks the event should continue, no matter what activities it involves.
"I would love to compete again, but I'm sure we could find someone [students] more well-versed in those activities," she said in reference to a music and art-based competition.
Aubrey said she loves seeing all the students supporting the event, and seeing Tocco each year as well.
"He's a really nice guy," she said.
Tocco owns a Troy, Mich.-based marketing company, Tocco D L & Associates, Inc. The company specializes in developing business for heavy industrial construction companies.
His business is tied directly to Michigan automotive companies, he said.
"I haven't been able to get on campus as much as I would like," he said. "I've been working vigorously doing what I do for a living. I have to pay bills like everyone else, but I am happy to share what's left."
At 61, Tocco realizes he will not be able to beat college students in athletic competitions for many more years, so a different kind of competition could be inevitable.
Senior Tony Bechtol, who helped organize the event for two years, said he loves that the event helped bring the campus' Greek community together.
"Mr. Tocco really enjoys it and it's fun that he comes back every year," Bechtol said. "It's nice to bring him back and show him our appreciation."
Bechtol said he likes Tocco's suggestion of bringing new talents to the competition to engage more of campus.
Each year, Tocco challenged students representing each Greek house on campus to a series of athletic competitions. He guaranteed $25,000 to the house with the winning competitor and if he won, he donated $15,000. Oftentimes, Tocco's business associates bet against him, bringing in even more money. Tocco has won four times and lost twice.
Senior Claire Aubrey made it to the final round - chess - last year, and lost.
Aubrey said she thinks the event should continue, no matter what activities it involves.
"I would love to compete again, but I'm sure we could find someone [students] more well-versed in those activities," she said in reference to a music and art-based competition.
Aubrey said she loves seeing all the students supporting the event, and seeing Tocco each year as well.
"He's a really nice guy," she said.
Tocco owns a Troy, Mich.-based marketing company, Tocco D L & Associates, Inc. The company specializes in developing business for heavy industrial construction companies.
His business is tied directly to Michigan automotive companies, he said.
"I haven't been able to get on campus as much as I would like," he said. "I've been working vigorously doing what I do for a living. I have to pay bills like everyone else, but I am happy to share what's left."
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