The Bruins Foundation and BJU will bring together thousands of students and members of the Greenville community March 8 in the FMA for an Evening with Tim Tebow, presented by PlanFIRST, Inc.
The two-time national champion, Heisman trophy winner and former first round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2010 NFL Draft had many memorable moments throughout his career.
His post-game press conference after Florida’s loss to Ole Miss is now famous along with his game-winning touchdown pass to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 NFL playoffs.
But Tebow did not let those moments define his career. Although he has received criticism and pressure from many, Tebow has emphasized his dedication to Christ throughout his career.
Bob Jones University Athletic Director Neal Ring said, “We are not celebrating Tim Tebow. We are celebrating his testimony for Christ in the world of athletics.”
Ring said an event with a figure like Tebow will bring many benefits for the University.
Ring said the University would be able to host a wide group of people, giving many people their first look at our campus.
He said he hopes the event will cause many people to further consider BJU for their future education.
The process of planning the event began in May on a trip to the Philippines. A number of BJU officials, including Ring, were having lunch with a friend of the Jones family.
The friend happened to know the Tebow family. “Through that connection (we) asked him if he would help us connect with Tim,” Ring said.
Shortly after, Ring began to work out the details of the event with Tebow’s assistant.
Tebow will be the third high-profile athletic figure to speak on campus in the last three years.
BJU hosted Bobby Richardson, famed New York Yankee second baseman.
The University also hosted two-time national champion head coach and College Football Hall of Fame member Bobby Bowden in the spring of 2016. The University has plans to host more prominent athletic figures in the future.
“When the Bruins Foundation decided to go this direction…we are basically committing to each spring bringing in a major figure that represents Christ and has the same mission that [the Bruins Athletic Department has],” Ring said.
That mission is to use sports as a platform for Christ, according to Ring.
Tickets for the event are still available and can be purchased online by visiting bju.edu/tebow.
While general tickets are $20, students can purchase their tickets for $10.