During Matt Campbell’s first year as the head coach at Toledo, he attended a high school coaching clinic in Michigan. There, Campbell discovered a concept that changed the way he concluded fall camp.
Aaron Segedi, a coach at Trenton High School in Michigan, was holding what he called “Victory Day,” on which children with disabilities participated in activities with the team. After seeing the impact it had on the children, Campbell knew he wanted to bring it to college football.
Victory Day became an annual training camp tradition under Campbell, and now he’s brought it to Penn State.
“Great night for our community. Great night for our kids,” Campbell said after Victory Day with the Nittany Lions. “Still, this world’s about giving back and making a difference. And to be able to do that [Friday night], and be able to be with so many great families and young people that may never get the opportunity to play the game of football, it’s a special opportunity for us.”
Friday was the first edition of the event in Happy Valley, as local children and their families joined the Nittany Lions inside Beaver Stadium. Kids could participate in activities like footwork drills, the Oklahoma drill, throwing balls into a net, and playing catch with players.
The highlights of the event, however, were the rushing touchdowns. Children would line up for the chance to run a play with Penn State’s starting offense and defense while their names boomed from the stadium’s sound system. Campbell greeted every kid with a smile and a handshake before huddling everyone up for the play call.
“I know we had a couple of trick plays in there, some special calls in there that weren’t supposed to be leaked,” quarterback Rocco Becht said. “But they were out there for the kids.”
Friday was Becht’s fifth Victory Day — he participated in four at Iowa State — so he’s seen firsthand the impact this event can have on a community and those who participate.
The highlight for him this year? Throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to a youngster down the sideline.
“I think it’s the best day of the year for me to give back to these kids, to see a smile on their face,” Becht said. “It’s truly the best thing in the world. We’re just glad to be here and put a smile on these kids’ faces.”
Although the Iowa State transfers have experienced Victory Day before, it was most of the team’s first time participating. Becht said some guys were a “little skeptical” when it began, but, by the end, there wasn’t a face without a smile.
Junior offensive lineman Cooper Cousins still believes THON, the dance marathon that raises funds to help children with cancer, is the best day of the year at Penn State. But Victory Day is now a close second.
“It was awesome seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces, seeing every kid get the opportunity to score a touchdown was awesome, and really just seeing the family’s reactions,” Cousins said. “When you get the opportunity to come out here and hang out with the youth around the community, inspire them, and be with them throughout the night, it was awesome. It was a great time.”
Since becoming Penn State’s head coach in December, Campbell has made it a point to get out into the community and make a difference. From packing lunches for the YMCA of Centre County Backpack Program to doubling the amount of money players raised for THON, Campbell is determined for the Nittany Lions to have a charitable impact.
And Victory Day was the latest example.
“This isn’t a popularity contest. This isn’t trying to sell our program to anybody. This is to make a difference in the lives of other people,” Campbell said. “To be honest with you, the more people we can make a difference in their lives, the better this opportunity is, and the more special this day becomes.”
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