The Special Olympics Club at TCU will host its second annual fundraising event on Thursday to raise money for local Fort Worth schools with Special Olympics programs. 

Trevor Matthews, a senior journalism major, is serving as an executive committee member for the Special Olympics club at TCU. Matthews said the goal is to make it feel like a real TCU basketball game. 

The TCU men’s basketball program is a sponsor, and players will serve as coaches during the game.

Fans will fill the lower section of Schollmaier Arena while players compete in four 10-minute quarters, with a t-shirt toss during halftime.

The money raised will fund the event as well as provide additional funds to local Fort Worth Special Olympics programs for things such as equipment, uniforms and future events.

 

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Last year’s event raised over $15,000 to send Special Olympic athletes to the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, where they took home the bronze medal.  

Trent Adams, a sophomore marketing and management major, said this year will be even better.

“We have more athletes who are dying to show off their skills, and hopefully more fans will come out to support them,” said Adams.

The club’s mission statement is to spread inclusion by bringing TCU students and young adults with disabilities together through playing sports and fostering relationships.

Adams said the club goes beyond just athletics, and he describes it as, “an awesome place to meet new people and make meaningful connections.”

TCU students can purchase tickets for $5 in front of the Founders Statue, and non-TCU students can purchase tickets for $8 online. There will also be t-shirts available for $10.

Doors to Schollmaier Arena will open at 6 p.m.