College sports. Sponsorship. Broadcasting. Advertising. Donations. Renovation. Rebuilding. Giving?
College sports are known for being a whirlwind of publicity and exposure. Young athletes are especially susceptible to becoming overwhelmed by this exposure. It is often difficult for these athletes to find a moment to stop and recognize what is going on around them.
Trevone Boykin is one of the few who have found this moment.
Earlier this month, Boykin made headlines. He holds over 2,500 passing yards, over 400 rushing yards, and 25 touchdowns so far during this season alone. However, that is not the reason for his media focus. On Oct. 17, TCU took the field at Iowa State University. That particular game welcomed Abby Faber, a seven-year-old visitor from Blank Children's Hospital diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. Abby was chosen to be the honorary team captain for ISU. During the coin toss, TCU and ISU naturally shook hands and shared typical sportsmanlike remarks. It was then that Trevone Boykin knelt down and acknowledged little Abby. They shared a short conversation, and immediately after, Boykin went over to the sideline and said a prayer for her. It was a discrete action, but recognition spread over the next few weeks.
Awareness spread like wildfire. A funding page was created in honor of Abby, featuring a popular photo of the Boykin interaction. Over $20,000 have been collected in donations. TCU fans cover the page with wishes such as "Sending love from a Horned Frog Alum!" and "Keep fighting Abby. The Frogs love you." Abby's dad reached out to the public via social media stating "I'm Steve, Abby's dad, and our family is completely blown away by all of this. Who would have thought that an innocent and honest act of kindness would come to all this. We are truly humbled by all this attention and the outpouring of love fans that both sides have shown."
Trevone does not stand alone in charitable deeds.
In 2013, Cameron Lyle of the University of New Hampshire was found to be a match for a cancer patient in need of a life-saving bone marrow transplant. The track and field star gave up his senior season to save a life.
In 2009, Winona State University's football program traveled to Iowa City to aid in flood relief.
Marcus Lee from the University of Kentucky is notorious for coordinating a blanket drive for patients at UK Children's Hospital, filling backpacks with food and supplies for local elementary schools through God's Pantry, and working with Samaritan's Feet to help provide shoes for those who need them.
Athletics is one of the many tools that connects the youth to the community. Young individuals are often under the impression that they do not have the power to make a difference. However, it is the youth that is the fuel for the future.Compassion is something that is more rare than it should be, and it is simple actions that highlight the possible impact that a young individual can have on the community
The actions of the highlighted athletes, and many others prove, that college sports go beyond just the sport. The sports community remains a strong family beyond what you see on the field, court, or track. These athletes stand to remind us of the true definitions of humanity, kindness, and fellowship.
As for Abby and the Frogs, Abby's father states "This has drastically changed our lives and yes we love those Frogs. Please take home the national championship and rest assured Mr. Boykin has six more fans than he had a few days ago. Once again we thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts."
For more information regarding Abby's donation page, visit: https://www.youcaring.com/abby-faber-455129
