Last month, roughly 30 Littles had an unforgettable day on the field at the Mike Alstott Football Clinic. The day gave our Littles, Bigs, and families an opportunity to enjoy a special football experience filled with excitement, teamwork, and plenty of BIG memories! 

Joe Conlin, Match Experience Coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, shared, “The energy was through the roof from the moment everyone arrived! We were greeted by DJ Tippy, two Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders, and Captain Fear himself.” 

Mike Alstott and his team made sure everyone felt like part of the action, providing official camp T-shirts, leading engaging football fundamentals and skills drills, and treating everyone to lunch. The day wrapped up with an opportunity for the kids to meet Mike, get autographs, and take photos with the legendary Buccaneers running back. Our very own CEO Robyn Ostrem even stepped in as the official photographer at the autograph table. 

Joe adds, “From the incredible welcome to the time spent learning new skills and meeting Mike, the entire day was filled with excitement. Seeing our Littles, Bigs, and families smiling, connecting, and making memories together was what made this experience so special.” 

With beautiful weather, nonstop smiles, and plenty of football fun, it was truly a BIG win for everyone involved! 

For Jeff Gigante of Next Level Brands, the impact of having a Big Brother is something that has stayed with him throughout his life. Although his time with his Big, John, was relatively brief, the lessons and memories they shared left a lasting impression. 

Jeff was just 10 years old when he was matched with John. An active, athletic kid who especially loved soccer, Jeff already had a positive male role model in his youth soccer coach, Coach Bill. While Coach Bill taught his team valuable lessons about sports and life, Jeff’s mom, a hardworking single mother with two jobs, recognized that her son could benefit from another mentor who could provide consistent guidance and one-on-one connection. 

After two previous matches with older gentlemen where a strong connection never quite developed, Jeff was matched with John, a younger man serving in the military who had a natural gift for conversation and connecting with people.  

John quickly became someone Jeff looked up to, sharing lessons that extended far beyond the soccer field. He taught Jeff the importance of a firm handshake, keeping your word, loyalty, and surrounding yourself with good friends. Simple lessons that would stay with Jeff long after their match ended. 

One of Jeff’s favorite memories was going horseback riding with John. It was a completely new experience, and while Jeff remembers it being both fun and a little terrifying, it became an adventure he would never forget. 

Today, Jeff looks back on his time with John with tremendous fondness and gratitude. His experience is a powerful reminder that every mentoring relationship can leave a lifelong impression. 

We are incredibly grateful to Jeff for continuing to champion the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. As a passionate advocate for mentorship and a recent co-host of Guys Night Out at The Motor Enclave, Jeff continues to help us create awareness, build connections, and inspire others to invest in the next generation.  

Thank you, Jeff, for sharing your story and helping us make BIG things happen! 

Interested in becoming a Big? Click here to learn more about how you can help change a child’s life!  

At just 11 years old, Jacob had already learned that life could ask a lot of a kid. With his parents absent from his life and his grandparents serving as his primary guardians, he often had to grow up faster than he should have. He needed someone to help carry some of that weight, someone who would show up, offer guidance, and remind him he was still a kid who deserved to have fun.

His grandmother knew how important it was for Jacob to have a positive male role model, so she turned to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. After nearly two years of waiting, Jacob was matched with Buddy, a 60-year-old retired veteran and pilot. What began as a mentoring match grew into a lifelong bond neither of them could have anticipated.

Shortly after their match, Jacob experienced a profound loss when his grandfather passed away. During this difficult time, Buddy became more than a mentor. He became a steady, trusted presence in Jacob’s life. As their bond grew, Jacob asked if he could call Buddy “Dad,” a reflection of the deep connection they had built and the place Buddy had come to hold in his family.

Looking back, Jacob says Buddy gave him back his childhood. After growing up quickly in his household, he finally had someone who encouraged him to enjoy being a kid. Together, they made memories through fishing trips, baseball games, and learning to play golf. These seemingly simple outings became some of the most meaningful moments of Jacob’s childhood.

But Buddy’s impact didn’t stop when Jacob grew up.

The two were formally matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay for seven years, until Jacob aged out of the program. Throughout every new chapter, Buddy remained in his corner. He cheered Jacob on as he graduated, served four years in the Marines, started a family, and began pursuing a career in teaching.

For Jacob, Buddy’s presence has been a constant reminder that he doesn’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone. For Buddy, watching Jacob grow into the man he is today has been a rewarding part of their journey together.

Their story is a powerful reminder that mentoring is about so much more than spending time together. It’s about showing up consistently, building trust, creating lasting memories, and becoming someone a young person can count on for years to come.

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, we believe every child deserves a caring adult in their corner. Buddy and Jacob’s relationship shows what can happen when someone chooses to make that commitment: a mentor becomes a role model, a role model becomes family, and a relationship changes a life forever.

Some moments are about more than a game. For Nate, his Big Jeff, and Nate’s Little, Asher, a trip to the ballpark became a memory they will all treasure, and a powerful reminder of how mentorship can shape a life. 

On September 19, the trio took to the field at a Tampa Bay Rays game as part of the TD SYNNEX Double Play initiative, which selected Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay as its charity of choice. Following a special check presentation, Asher stepped onto the field to throw out the first pitch, right to his Big, Nate. 

For Nate, the moment carried an extra layer of meaning. Early in his own mentoring relationship with Jeff, Nate had the opportunity to stand on that same field and throw the first pitch to his Big. Jeff was there for Nate through the years, offering encouragement, support, guidance, and, most importantly, the consistency of having a caring adult in his corner. Nate knows firsthand the difference a Big can make in a young person’s life. 

Now, years later, Nate has the opportunity to provide that same kind of support for Asher. Sharing the experience with his Little created a full-circle moment, one that reflects how the impact of a mentoring relationship can extend far beyond the time a Big and Little spend together. Nate experienced the power of having someone believe in him, and today, he gets to be that person for Asher. 

For Asher, getting to throw the first pitch was a moment he won’t soon forget. 

“It was really special to throw the first pitch,” Asher shared. “I’m excited I got to keep the ball I threw. This is my fifth collectible ball, and I’m really excited to add it to my collection.” 

But the significance of the day went far beyond stepping onto a Major League field or adding a new ball to a collection. It was about creating a BIG memory with someone Asher knows will show up for him, someone who listens, encourages him, celebrates his accomplishments, and makes time for the moments that matter. 

Thanks to the generosity of TD SYNNEX and the Tampa Bay Rays, the Double Play initiative is helping Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay create more opportunities for young people across our nine-county service area. Their support helps make moments like Nate and Asher’s possible, while giving more youth the opportunity to experience the lasting impact of having a Big in their corner. 

Interested in becoming a Big? Click here to learn more.