The University of Toledo football program will host its second annual Victory Day for cognitively and physically impaired students from Toledo area schools Saturday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Glass Bowl.
Victory Day allows special needs students to have their moment in the sun on the football field. Each student will be partnered with a UT football player who will serve as his or her mentor for the day.
A student was celebrated in the end zone during last year’s Victory Day.
Toledo football players, cheerleaders, Rocky the Rocket and marching band members will be on hand to show their support. Toledo Public Schools is co-hosting the event.
“Victory Day is a wonderful opportunity for kids with special needs to run out on the football field like a hero,” said UT Head Football Coach Matt Campbell. “It’s also a great experience for our players to interact with young people and get a greater understanding of the challenges they face every day of their lives.”
Victory Day was started in 2010 by Aaron Segedi, a teacher, football coach and cancer survivor from Trenton, Mich., whose life was saved thanks to a liver donation from his sister, Rhonda. Since then, the program has been adopted by high schools and universities in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
