GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The day after graduating last month, Gators senior long snapper Rocco Underwood boarded a flight with 15 teammates to go abroad on GatorMade’s annual service trip.

The destination: Italy.

The seven-day trip took the players across the country, traveling to places such as Milan, Florence, Tuscany, Lake Como and Rome.

“We went out there to do community service, but we also went out there to learn about the Italian and European culture,” said Underwood.

Italy is renowned worldwide for its food, fashion, art and architecture, which the scholar-athletes were able to appreciate and learn about during their time abroad.

“It was my first time out of the country, so it was cool to be able to go to a place like that with all the history it has. We went there and spent the first few days in Milan, doing some shopping and taking tours around the fashion districts. We saw different places like one of Versace’s houses,” said sophomore offensive lineman Bryce Lovett. “Then we went to Florence, and that was probably my favorite place for the food. I thought it was really cool and went to all the museums and saw things like the statue of David. Then Rome was towards the end of the trip.”

Since its inception in 2022, GatorMade has made four trips abroad, with previous service trips going to Greece, South Africa and Japan.

 

When GatorMade makes its trips abroad, the department emphasizes the different aspects of that country’s culture, challenging the players to interact and immerse themselves in something new.

“I thought it was great the way they are constantly trying to make opportunities for us and get us in places that we should be and meet people we should meet. I try to do at least one event or trip every year, whether it’s small or a big one like Italy,” said Lovett.

While these trips include fun experiences, they also provide the players with an opportunity to serve the communities they visit.

“One morning before we went on to Lake Como, we did community service feeding the homeless,” said Underwood. “We also taught some kids how to play American football. They have an academy over there, where they have coaches that teach them, but we went over there and kind of taught them what we know.”

The Gators had as much fun as the Italian kids.

“Another service initiative we did was going to an after-school program. We were just outside playing with younger kids, and I could say I probably had a better time than they did. It just took me back to when I was younger, just being free and having a good time,” said senior edge George Gumbs Jr.

The community service aspect of the trip raises awareness about the different struggles communities face and how the young men can become active participants aiding those in need. That can mean teaching kids football or serving food.

“I guess just not taking anything for granted. There’s always somebody less fortunate, somebody that has less than you, so cherish everything you have,” said Gumbs Jr.

While these opportunities are available for all the football players to utilize and experience, GatorMade has implemented a process to select team members who have earned the opportunity.

“It was an interview – kind of going through what you bring to the table, why should we bring you, why should we take some other people and what makes you the best candidate,” said senior kicker Trey Smack. “Realistically, it is more so our leadership abilities to hold each other accountable. Also, are you going to enjoy the experience, or are you not going to do anything?”

GatorMade exists to teach scholar-athletes different ways to develop personally and professionally. One aspect that the program aims to strengthen among the players is building strong teammate relationships.

“We work out and train together all the time, so that really doesn’t leave a lot of space and time to have deep conversations,” said Gumbs Jr. “You get to know your peers in real life, like their dreams and aspirations, what they like to do, birthdays, family, who they cherish the most or,  Just being outside of the facility, when we’re not going hard, working and focused; the focus is being more laid back and just having fun.”

Through the GatorMade Department, these young me can have life-changing experiences, build stronger bonds with their teammates and develop skills they can use in their future careers long after they return home.