The Chargers’ win wasn’t the only victory on the field this weekend.
The Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium was full of life on Friday as the cheerleaders, pep band, and football team encouraged local children and young adults with special needs to learn to play football. The event, named Victory Day, allowed participants to engage with the team through football drills and a special recognition for the participants during Saturday’s football game.
Aaron Segedi founded Victory Day in 2010, after receiving a liver transplant from his sister and beating cancer three times. He currently serves as a teacher and defensive coordinator for the football team at Trenton High School in Trenton, Michigan, and he said he started the program because he was looking for a way to give back to his community.
“I had a second chance in life,” Segedi said in a phone interview. “You go through life and sometimes take things for granted, and I had some lessons that I’ve learned. I was developing my football program to give back, and this project came to mind, as to why not get some of these special needs kids an opportunity to play football and service them.”
“Touchdown Flower” blared over the loudspeaker as participant Cody Flower, decked out in a Hillsdale Chargers Jersey, ran through the maze of Chargers players and into the endzone. There he was met with high-fives and congratulations from the team. Flower and nine other locals with special needs not only had a chance to score a touchdown, but were given an opportunity to kick a field goal, try on equipment, and learn how to throw a pass.
The festivities continued into Saturday, where the participants led the team out of the tunnel and went up with the team for the coin toss.
“My favorite part was scoring the touchdowns,” Flower said.
Lauren Haynes, a participant from Jonesville, MI, echoed the sentiment, as well as Andrew Zwiers, a Hillsdale College junior and tight end for the Chargers football team.
“The best part is seeing them score the touchdowns and do all the drills,” Zwiers said.
Since 2010, the program has expanded to over 30 high schools and colleges across the nation. Last year, Segedi contacted Keith Otterbein, the head coach of the Chargers football team, about bringing this program to Hillsdale.
“Immediately I knew it was a great fit for our guys,” Otterbein said. “It was another opportunity for them to understand how fortunate they are to be here to have the health and loving families that they have, so it was a natural fit for us.”
Otterbein explained the response from both participants and parents as overwhelmingly positive.
“I don’t know if the football players realize this, but this will be the highlight of their year. They will talk about this over and over and over. This is so meaningful,” said Paula Haynes, mother of participant Lauren Haynes. “They don’t always get to have these opportunities, so this is very exciting.”
Companies including Adidas, Imagecraft Engraving and Awards, Bon Appétit Management Company, and A Grand Occasion all supported the event through donations, such as jerseys, trophies, and tableware.
“It was an absolute win-win for everybody involved,” Otterbein said. “As much as the participants and families got out of the event, our guys gained a lot growing and learning what other people go through.”
Segedi expressed his happiness at the expansion of the program.
“I want my message to continue to spread so other kids have an opportunity in other communities and other areas to have an experience like we first gave kids at Trenton High School,” Segedi said.
For more information about Victory Day, visit www.victorydayfootball.com.
