November 22, 2015
Contributed Art/Elevate Communications
Tom Voelker, of Sinking Spring, Pa., sent one through the uprights at Lincoln FInancial FIeld to secure two $10,000 prizes from Santander Bank.
The Eagles may have been thrashed in Sunday's 45-17 loss to the Buccaneers, but if you're looking for a silver lining in an otherwise demoralizing afternoon, one lucky fan earned a $20,000 prize with a spot on 20-yard kick in the "Santander Field Goal Challenge" at halftime.
Sinking Spring, Pa. resident Tom Voelker drilled the field goal attempt to pick up a pair of $10,000 prizes, one for himself and one to be donated to Brandywine Heights Middle School, NBC 10 reports.
Voelker, who serves as Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology for the Brandywine Heights Area School District, was beaming after he delivered on the challenge.
“I’m ecstatic! As a lifelong Eagles fan, just to be able to walk onto the field during a game was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but to have converted the kick and to know that I’ve won $10,000 for myself and $10,000 for Brandywine Heights Middle School is surreal,” said Voelker.
To earn the right to kick, Voelker had to ace a series of Eagles trivia questions and beat out 40 other contestants in field goal tryouts held November 5 at the Fieldhouse at Novacare Complex.
“Santander’s Field Goal Challenge was such a fun experience and I’d like to thank Santander for the opportunity and prizes," Voelker said. "I’m excited to bring my family on a wonderful trip to Disney World with my winnings, while the school donation will go a long way toward providing the resources necessary to make the STEM courses we’re trying to implement at the Middle School a great success.”
Michael Cleary, Head of Consumer and Business Banking at Santander, said he was glad to see Voelker complete the challenge.
“Giving back to the communities is a core part of our philosophy. The Field Goal Challenge is an exciting way to engage with Eagles fans and a unique way to provide funding to a local school as part of our broader commitment to education," Cleary said. "We applaud all of the contestants who participated in this challenge and congratulate Tom for successfully kicking the field goal at today’s Eagles game. Tom was an ideal candidate given his role as an educator and we’re thrilled to present him and Brandywine Heights Middle School the $10,000 grand prizes.”
