Former Heisman Trophy winner and NBA veteran Charlie Ward, alongside his wife Tonja, officially opened the new field at Champions Ranch during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday. The event was covered by the FSView & Florida Flambeau, with staff writer Hunter Milligan reporting on the occasion.
Ward, who won the 1993 Heisman Trophy as Florida State University's quarterback and later played nine seasons in the NBA primarily with the New York Knicks, has remained active in community and youth sports initiatives since retiring from professional athletics. The Champions Ranch facility aims to support athletic development and community gatherings in the region.
The ceremony took place on November 3, 2026, marking the latest chapter in Ward's post-playing career involvement with sports infrastructure and youth mentorship programs.
