Sunday was a depressing day for Eagles fans as the Birds were blown out by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But there was at least one fan who walked out of the Linc in a good mood thanks to a field goal kick that earned him $20,000.
Tom Voelker of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania nailed a kick from the 20-yard line during halftime of Sunday’s game. Voelker won $10,000 along with an additional $10,000 donation to Brandywine Heights Middle School, a regional kindergarten through 12th grade school that Voelker selected.
Voelker is the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology for the Brandywine Heights Area School District, which Brandywine Heights Middle School is part of. The donation was made through Santander Bank, the official bank of the Philadelphia Eagles.
“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. “Santander’s Field Goal Challenge was such a fun experience and I’d like to thank Santander for the opportunity and prizes. 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.”
Just getting to kick the prize-winning field goal was a challenge in itself for Voelker. As part of the contest, he first had to answer online trivia questions about Eagles alumni just to earn a spot. He then outkicked more than 40 contestants during the Santander Field Goal Challenge Try Outs back on Nov. 5 at the Fieldhouse at NovaCare Complex, earning him the chance to win the prize money.
“Giving back to the communities is a core part of our philosophy,” said Michael Cleary, Head of Consumer and Business Banking at Santander. “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. 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.”
