Tocco Challenge on hold due to donor's shoulder injury
Maria Schmitt
Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Your News
Hillsdale College's annual Tocco Challenge, an athletic competition designed to raise money for Greek philanthropies, will probably not take place in its usual form this spring.
Don Tocco, marketing entrepreneur and supporter of the college, suffers from a shoulder injury that will not heal in time for the competition.
"It doesn't look good," Tocco said. "It's very disappointing because it's something that I love. I love the camaraderie and the opportunity to be with my friends at Hillsdale."
Due to a shoulder injury incurred after throwing a football without first warming up, Tocco said he won't be able to participate in an athletic-based competition this year.
"One of the first things they teach you is to warm up," Tocco said. "I figured well, it can't hurt to throw the ball for a few minutes. But, stupidity is no excuse for behavior."
Tocco will find out if he needs surgery in three weeks. If he does, his recovery period will last for months, he said.
If he doesn't need surgery and the injury heals quickly, there is a slim chance he could return to campus for a classic challenge.
"At this juncture, it's not impossible, but it's highly unlikely that this will heal up by the end of April," he said. "It's looking like I'm just going to have to enjoy the students and faculty by coming up and visiting and spending some time in classes."
Tocco plans to visit campus sometime this month.
While an athletic-based competition has been ruled out, Tocco said he remains open to the idea of a challenge based on other talents.
"I want to continue that and whether we do it with a sports challenge, musical, art, poetry it doesn't matter," he said. "We could do tiddlywinks. We'll figure something out."
Tocco said he plays the trumpet and enjoys sculpting.
He suggested a competition in which participants had to create a piece of art in 30 minutes and then write a poem, followed by a game of Scrabble.
Don Tocco, marketing entrepreneur and supporter of the college, suffers from a shoulder injury that will not heal in time for the competition.
"It doesn't look good," Tocco said. "It's very disappointing because it's something that I love. I love the camaraderie and the opportunity to be with my friends at Hillsdale."
Due to a shoulder injury incurred after throwing a football without first warming up, Tocco said he won't be able to participate in an athletic-based competition this year.
"One of the first things they teach you is to warm up," Tocco said. "I figured well, it can't hurt to throw the ball for a few minutes. But, stupidity is no excuse for behavior."
Tocco will find out if he needs surgery in three weeks. If he does, his recovery period will last for months, he said.
If he doesn't need surgery and the injury heals quickly, there is a slim chance he could return to campus for a classic challenge.
"At this juncture, it's not impossible, but it's highly unlikely that this will heal up by the end of April," he said. "It's looking like I'm just going to have to enjoy the students and faculty by coming up and visiting and spending some time in classes."
Tocco plans to visit campus sometime this month.
While an athletic-based competition has been ruled out, Tocco said he remains open to the idea of a challenge based on other talents.
"I want to continue that and whether we do it with a sports challenge, musical, art, poetry it doesn't matter," he said. "We could do tiddlywinks. We'll figure something out."
Tocco said he plays the trumpet and enjoys sculpting.
He suggested a competition in which participants had to create a piece of art in 30 minutes and then write a poem, followed by a game of Scrabble.
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