Special Spectators creates magical days for seriously ill children and their families at college sporting events across the United States. In partnership with athletic departments, we provide tickets to games and design days filled with exciting surprises and experiences in and around the stadium that are not accessible to most fans. Special Spectators is designed to create fun for the entire family and provide a pause from the difficulties they face battling a loved one's illness. We also coordinate visits by athletes to children's hospitals or pediatric units in order to expose them to the inspiration and reward of making a powerful contribution to the community.
Since its inception in 2002, Special Spectators has hosted approximately 6,000 seriously ill children, parents and siblings at about 180 games. Nearly 45 FBS (formerly Division 1-A) programs have participated in Special Spectators including universities from the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Conference USA, MAC, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt and WAC conferences.
INTERVIEW:
Q: After the children has experienced a game day event, what seems to be their favorite moment? What seems to touch the athletes the most?
A: There are so many aspects to each game day event - the tailgate party with visits from cheerleaders, mascots, the marching band and other student-athletes; tours of the locker room; meeting coaches and players; visiting the press box; and walking on the field during a stadium announcement welcoming the kids to the game - that it's difficult to pinpoint the one thing kids enjoy the most.
When I attend our events, I like to ask each youngster their favorite part of the day. Sometimes you never know what I child will say. I remember an event we hosted at Georgia Tech in 2006. It was a beautiful October day. The families watched a thrilling, come from behind Yellow Jacket victory from a luxury suite. The kids met some of the players while watching them during pre-game warm-ups; they had their picture taken with the cheerleaders and "Buzz", the Georgia Tech mascot; and the stood on the field while the fans gave the kids a warm welcome to Bobby Dodd Stadium. After all that, what was the most memorable moment for one little boy? He was so excited to see, up close, one of the orange pylons in the end zone!
As for the athletes, I think they are impacted by two things: 1) Despite everything a child endures while battling their illness, they're still able to have a big beautiful smile on their face and they act as if all the treatments, tests, surgeries, medications, etc are really no big deal; 2) Many of the athletes are surprised at how happy the kids are to meet them and the inspiration they're providing the patients when the children are inspiring them simultaneously.
Click the images below to see pictures from Special Spectators events over the years...
Q: What has been your greatest success? What are you most proud of accomplishing with Special Spectators?
A: I'm proud of so much we've accomplished with Special Spectators to date. We have unbelievable volunteers who are unstoppable. We have no paid staff. All of these dedicated people have full-time jobs, but they find a way to create some unbelievable events. When you think of what we've done in seven years with very little resources - entertained 6,000 patients, parents and siblings at about 180 games for a little over $90,000 total. Despite all that, I don't think anyone, including myself, is fully satisfied. We all feel as if we've just scratched the surface. I think that's extraordinary!??But what I'm most proud of is the feedback we hear from families. Parents have told us the day they spent at a Special Spectators event was the last great day in their child's life. One mom told me our event was the first time the family has gone out (other than holidays) in three years! Everyone associated with Special Spectators is deeply honored and fortunate to impact these families this way.
Q: What obstacles have Special Spectators overcome? In what way does Special Spectators need help? What areas do you need volunteers to get involved in the most?
A: When you run a grass roots organization like Special Spectators, I think obstacles are part of the landscape to the extent they almost go unnoticed.??The biggest obstacle we face currently is developing the infrastructure needed to grow and expand. In order to do this we need money and more volunteers who can help us in a variety of areas: Fundraising, sponsorships, PR, mobile and computer technology, multimedia production, legal, accounting, game day event planning, game day event hosting, volunteer coordination, business development & strategy, social media.
Q: What is your favorite experience with Special Spectators?
A: There have been some unbelievable experiences. Out of the 170 events we've hosted, I've only attended about 25 of them so some I've witnessed first hand. Others have been shared by volunteers.??I guess the greatest experience was a night game in 2004 at Oklahoma. During a timeout in the third quarter, the kids walked out on the field for the stadium announcement. For some reason, they wanted me to go with them.
The announcement told the 85,000 Sooner fans why the kids were at the game, gave a brief description of the organization and asked the crowd to welcome the kids to Memorial Stadium. What followed was a thunderous standing ovation. We all waved to the crowd. I was standing slightly behind the four boys and turned my back to acknowledge the fans behind us. As I did that, the ovation became deafening! I had no idea what caused this to happen until I turned back to face the boys and noticed that one of them, who was actively receiving chemotherapy, had removed his OU cap from his bald head to wave it in appreciation. The place went bonkers!!!
When I escorted the kids back to their seats, fans were yelling words of encouragement as we walked by and many, from moms to big burly men, were wiping tears from their eyes. About 30 days after that event, one of the boys passed away.
Q: What dreams/goals do you have for Special Spectators in the future?
A: Our goal for the organization is this: "To become the greatest sports and entertainment-based nonprofit organization for seriously ill children in the world." ??We believe we can reach this goal by functioning within the parameters of our value statement which is, "Special Spectators is committed to operating with the values personified by the remarkable children we are fortunate to serve - passion, taking nothing for granted, integrity and unlimited imagination." ??Today my ultimate dream for Special Spectators is to host seriously ill children from around the world at the "Special Spectators Olympic Village" and provide them with the access to their choice of any of the events played at the Olympics for two weeks. ??But ask me my ultimate dream tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll think of something bigger by then.???
