ATHENS — The fourth annual Countdown to Kickoff charity event presented by Seacrest Partners featuring former Georgia football standouts and current NFL players is slated for July 18 at the University of Georgia’s Woodruff Practice Fields off Lumpkin Street from 3-6 p.m.

Organizers of the event include three former Bulldog stars:  NFL first round draft choice Matt Stinchcomb, current New Orleans Saints lineman Jon Stinchcomb and former NFL quarterback David Greene.

Benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Georgia Transplant Foundation, as well as the Children’s Tumor Foundation, the University of Georgia College of Education and UGA’s own Pediatric Exercise and Motor Development Clinic, the event provides Georgia fans the opportunity to spend an afternoon with some of their favorite Bulldogs of the past and present. There are activities for fans of all ages from games, face painting, training camp drills, autograph and photo sessions. Mascot Hairy Dawg and the UGA cheerleaders will be in attendance along with the Redcoat Band.

In addition, fans will have the opportunity to join Georgia coaches and players at the Countdown to Kickoff Golf Tournament scheduled for July 17 at the UGA Golf Course. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 11 a.m. Later that night, an awards party and auction night will be held at 7 p.m. at The Classic Center.  

Event sponsors as well as fans will have a chance at bidding for Bulldog memorabilia and unique experiences within the Georgia football program, including a behind-the-scenes gameday experience.

Tickets are $25 each for the Saturday event. A Family Pack costs $75, which includes four tickets and a special pennant for player autographs. Individual auction tickets are $80 and individual golf player positions are $200.

“It’s a fun event and it supports some very worthy and needed healthcare philanthropies,” Matt Stinchcomb said. “It is also an opportunity for the current guys on the football team to interact with and meet some of the guys who played at Georgia before them. Then it also gives the fans an opportunity to interact with the players they have supported and gives them a chance to meet the person, not just the athlete.”

The 2008 “Countdown to Kickoff” charity event attracted 2,000 fans and raised $200,000 for four Georgia charities.  For more information regarding the 2009 “Countdown to Kickoff” and to order tickets, please visit www.ugakickoff.com.