Local special needs students get special chance to play flag football

MAT-SU - Tim Lundt had a challenge for his students.

The Burchell High School teacher derived a way for his class to gain experience creating, organizing and working through a project, all while giving a special group of students a special opportunity.

Lundt's idea - create &#8220Mat-Su Challenger Football.”

Based on a program founded by the Pop Warner national youth football and cheerleading organization, the Burchell students started Mat-Su Challenger Football to give a group of special needs students, who otherwise couldn't compete in football, the chance to hit the field.

&#8220We wanted to find a way to give back, give kids who normally don't get to play a chance,” Lundt said.

Lundt saw a presentation about Pop Warner's Challenger Football program during the Super Bowl pre-game show in February, and thought a similar endeavor would fit perfectly into Burchell's curriculum. He also saw this is as a chance to bring something different to the Valley for special needs students.

All the responsibility fell onto the shoulders of the students in his class - everything from securing corporate sponsorships to coaching the athletes.

&#8220They were making all the phone calls, getting the sponsorships, writing all of the letters - they were doing everything,” Lundt said.

Lundt's students created T-shirts, purchased trophies, collected snacks, created flyers to be sent out to all of the local schools.

Part of the idea behind the project was to give the Burchell students experience in the business side of organizing and working through a major project. But more important, Lundt said, was the chance for his students to create personal relationships with kids they might never have had the chance to interact with. Regardless of their own situation, Lundt said, it was also a chance for his students to see health is not something to take for granted.

&#8220A lot of our kids don't have the greatest life, but they're healthy,” Lundt said. &#8220A lot of our kids come from a different type of life, have a lot of hard times, (now they see) it's not so bad.”

With games scheduled on consecutive weekends, Lundt's class welcomed 10 kids to the football field. A wide spectrum was represented, Lundt said, with special needs issues ranging from Down syndrome to cerebral palsy and cystic

fibrosis.

For the most part, Lundt's students had little or no experience with special needs. Some may have friends or family members with special needs. But most are completely new to this.

Lundt said, before the project started, he was not exactly sure how cohesive the interaction would be. But as he looks back on the experience, he sees that his students exceeded all expectations.

&#8220We have a lot of tough boys. They act rough and tough with each other,” Lundt said. &#8220I was kind of worried how they would handle it.”

Tony Tyree, a Burchell student, said he was kind of surprised by how easy it was to relate.

&#8220I thought it would be a good thing to do, but I didn't realize it was going to be as fun as it was,” Tyree said.

The Burchell group organized two games, one at Palmer High School and the other at Wasilla High School. In the first game, there were only two special needs students, so Lundt placed one on each squad and used his own students to fill out the teams. Even though there were only two, the initial try was a success, Lundt said.

&#8220They were stars for the day,” Lundt said. &#8220It centered around them.”

Emily Olsen, a cheerleader at Wasilla High School, was originally asked to cheer during the event.

&#8220I ended up playing football,” Olsen said. &#8220It was more fun to get in there with the kids. All of them were really sweet.”

For the second game, there were 10 kids with special needs. Lundt divided the group into two teams, named two team captains and, once again, used his own students to complete the squads. Tyree and classmate L.D. Hummell were the captains of opposing teams, but had a common goal.

&#8220Everyone one of them had the chance to get a touchdown,” Hummell said.

Tyree and Hummell put all of the focus on the kids enjoying their first opportunity to play football.

&#8220We had a little huddle, tell them who was getting the ball and make sure each kid got a touchdown,” Tyree said. &#8220Each one was proud to get a touchdown.”

One of the students on Tyree's team, Dillon Hudzinski, did need his wheelchair to get on the field. But the wheelchair didn't prevent Hudzinski from participating, or excelling.

&#8220Tony was just awesome (with him), so compassionate,” Lundt said.

Lundt said he would see Tyree giving Hudzinski's high-fives, and Hudzinski's way to show Tyree his enthusiasm was circling the Burchell student, laughing and smiling.

Tyree said it didn't take long at all to figure out it was easy to communicate with Dillon.

&#8220We'd tell Dillon, you're getting the ball and we'll block for you buddy,” Tyree said. &#8220He was definitely happy. He knew the attention was on him. He was smiling, laughing. Everyone enjoyed seeing him

laugh.”

As the stars of the games gained memories of playing football and scoring touchdowns, the Burchell students found a new appreciation for interacting with kids from different backgrounds.

&#8220It's not like they can't understand you,” Olsen said. &#8220They can. They're talented kids. They're so smart. They're so sweet.”

Olsen said she recently had the chance to meet her half-sister, who has a little brother with Cerebral Palsy. She said this experience will be a great help as she builds relationships with the new members of her family.

Lundt said he hopes a tradition will be built at Burchell.

&#8220We'll do it again next year,” Lundt said. &#8220We might even do it in the fall if we can get it organized.”