Victory Day with NC State: A Tradition That Fills Our Hearts

This past weekend was one of those days that remind us why we do what we do. GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh had the incredible privilege of participating in Victory Day with NC State Football for the seventh year in a row, and words can hardly capture what it meant for our participants, their families, and our community.

Victory Day isn’t just about football drills and touchdowns. It’s about inclusion. It’s about our participants with Down syndrome stepping onto the field, being cheered for, celebrated, and seen as athletes, teammates, and friends. For so many of our kids and adults, this experience fills in gaps that the world too often leaves behind. To run through a tunnel, wear a jersey, and have a Division I athlete coach you through plays is the kind of confidence and joy that stays with you long after the final whistle.

Why It Matters

For our participants, this day is transformative. They get to see themselves not only as fans, but as part of the collegiate experience, as part of a team, as athletes in their own right. Those moments of high-fives, laughter, and shared pride send a powerful message: you belong here.

For families, it’s equally moving. Parents and siblings get to watch their loved ones shine on one of the biggest stages in North Carolina. They see their child or sibling celebrated not because of their differences, but because of who they are and what they can do. More than once, I saw tears of joy as families looked on with pride.

And for the athletes, it’s just as meaningful. Time and again, they show up with so much heart. They don’t just run drills; they build connections. They laugh, they encourage, and they celebrate every accomplishment. These young men are leaders on and off the field, and their willingness to give back, to show up with joy and authenticity, is something we will always be grateful for.

The Power of Relationships

What makes Victory Day so special is that it’s not a “one and done” kind of event. The relationships and memories created here have ripple effects that go far beyond the field. Our participants carry the pride of this day into school, into work, and into everyday life. The athletes carry new perspectives on teamwork, resilience, and inclusion into their own lives.

This isn’t charity. It’s community. It’s what happens when people come together to celebrate each other’s gifts.

As I stood on the field, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude to NC State Football, to the coaches who open their program to our families, and most especially to the athletes who give so generously of their time and energy. Gratitude to the families who entrust us with their children’s dreams. And gratitude to our GiGi’s participants, who remind us every day what true joy, determination, and victory look like.

We don’t take this opportunity for granted. Every year is a gift, and every year reinforces why GiGi’s Playhouse exists: to build a world where individuals with Down syndrome are not only accepted, but celebrated.

Looking Forward

As we celebrate another year of Victory Day, our hearts are full. We are proud, we are humbled, and we are inspired to keep building a community where inclusion isn’t just an idea, but a lived reality.

To our friends at NC State Football, thank you for showing our participants what it means to be part of a team. Thank you for lifting them up, cheering them on, and reminding them, and all of us, that belonging is the greatest victory of all.