The University of Toledo football program shared the joy of victory with approximately 40 special needs students from Toledo Public Schools and around the area at its eighth annual “Victory Day” at the Glass Bowl on Saturday. Participating students met Rocket football players, ran drills on the field and heard their names announced over the public address system as they scored a touchdown.
Victory Day is an opportunity for special needs students to have their “moment in the sun” on the football field. Each student was partnered with a Toledo football player who served as his or her mentor for the day. Toledo cheerleaders were also there to cheer on the participants.
UToledo football players share the joy of victory with a special needs student from Toledo Public Schools during “Victory Day” at the Glass Bowl on Saturday.
“For our players to be able to interact with these kids and watch them score touchdowns and do football drills on the field is very rewarding,” said Head Coach Jason Candle. “I think these young people look forward to this day. Many of them come back year after year. But it also provides great perspective for our players, to show them how blessed they are to be able to do the things they do. It’s great to see the smiles on the kids’ faces, it’s great to see the smiles on the parents’ faces. It’s really a life-touching moment for our players as well.”
“Giving back to the community and giving these kids an opportunity to run on the field and score a touchdown in the Glass Bowl, it’s something we love to do,” said junior linebacker Dan Bolden.
“People with disabilities, they can have fun too,” added sophomore defensive tackle Esean Carter. “It’s very exciting to see them smiling, playing the game we love.”
Victory Day was started in 2010 by Aaron Segedi, a teacher and football coach from Trenton, Mich. Segredi is a cancer survivor whose life was saved thanks to a liver donation from his sister, Rhonda. Since then, the Victory Day program has been adopted by high schools and universities throughout the country. The Rockets first celebrated Victory Day in 2014.
The Rockets open their season next Saturday, Sept. 2, at Illinois before hosting four consecutive home games at the Glass Bowl, beginning with “The Biggest Party in Toledo” vs. Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 9.
To order tickets or for more information, go to UTRockets.com/FBTix, call/text 419.530.GOLD (4653) or stop by the Rocket Ticket Office located in the Sullivan Athletic Complex at Savage Arena during office hours.
