Connect to Community: UAPD Tees Off to Benefit Special Olympics

Connect to Community: UAPD Tees Off to Benefit Special Olympics

By Amanda BallardUniversity Relations - Communications
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The annual UAPD Golf Tournament will be held on June 20 at Omni Tucson National Resort. All proceeds benefit the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Arizona.
The annual UAPD Golf Tournament will be held on June 20 at Omni Tucson National Resort. All proceeds benefit the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Arizona.

It's no secret that the UA's outstanding employees help make the campus a great place. But countless UA employees also devote time and energy to giving back to the greater Tucson community, either in their free time or as part of their University positions.

From volunteering with nonprofits to coordinating creative fundraisers, the work being done by campus employees makes a big difference to those in need.

In this regular "Connect to Community" series, we highlight some of the inspiring work UA employees are doing in the community.


For one day each year, officers of the University of Arizona Police Department trade their uniforms for golf polos and tee off for a good cause at the UAPD Golf Tournament.

This is the seventh consecutive year UAPD has hosted its charity golf tournament. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Arizona, an initiative to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Arizona.

This year's tournament will be held on June 20 at Omni Tucson National Resort, 2727 W. Club Drive. Registration is $90 and is open through June 17.

UAPD Sgt. Fil Barrera said the tournament was created under the leadership of former UA chief of police Anthony Daykin as a fun way to raise donations for a charitable cause.

"This has been very rewarding," Barrera said. "It's just really, really cool."

The tournament draws participants from across the UA, along with local law enforcement agencies and avid golfers. Since it was created, the tournament has raised approximately $50,000 to benefit Special Olympics Arizona. Special Olympics Arizona helps Arizona athletes with intellectual disabilities build confidence through year-round sports training, competitions and support programs.

In the tournament, four-person teams compete using a "best-ball" approach. Each person on the team hits, and the entire team moves forward based on the best shot.

"It ends up being very competitive, as you can imagine," Barrera said.

Food and coffee will be available at the event, along with UA merchandise and golf gear giveaways.

For Barrera, the best part of the annual tournament is the opportunity to support athletes who strive to compete in the Special Olympics.

"I think there are so many good organizations and causes, and this is one you can really see where the money goes," Barrera said. "It goes to sending all these athletes to competitions, not only in Arizona, but throughout the U.S. There's nothing like doing something for people you don't even know."

For information on how to register to the UAPD Golf Tournament, click here (PDF).


Are you a UA employee who's working to make a difference in the community? Do you know of an employee or group on campus that is doing something unique to give back? If so, let us know about it by emailing uaatwork@email.arizona.edu. Your story could be featured in a future edition of Lo Que Pasa.

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