Niu, Beautiful Lives Project has merged for Football Field Day – Northern Star

DEKALB – Niu football players and members of the local community gathered on Tuesday morning in the Brigham Field Field in the Huskie Stadium for a common purpose: the field of dreams.

The Field of Dreams is an event organized by The Beautiful Lives Project. Over 100 children and adults with disabilities from cities such as Chicago, Rockford and Sycamore alternated between six stations that were occupied by NiU soccer players. The participants were able to throw footballs in destinations, catch passes, race through BAG drills and much more.

“My student, he loved it and over the Little Foam platforms.” And then we had a lot of children who liked the duel exercises. “

The Beautiful Lives Project was founded by the entrepreneur Anthony Iacovone and Blind Sports broadcaster Bryce Weiler based in New York and creates custom events to promote inclusion for people with physical or mental disabilities.

This year's clinic was the second collaboration between Niu Football and The Beautiful Lives Project. They organized their first event in 2019 during the first season by head coach Thomas Hammock with the huskies. Since then, the project has built connections to other schools in Department I such as Boston College, Eastern Illinois University and Long Island University.

According to Michael Gudino, a community lawyer for the Beautiful Lives Project, the event also welcomed 106 participants on Tuesday – more than the Triple The 29, who came out six years ago for the opening event.

“It only means that the message spreads – the message that is all welcome, the news that everyone can do,” said Gudino. “It doesn't matter what disability they could have.

Gudino, who has worked with the project since 2017, said that those who take part in their events usually have an improved outlook.

“When you go, say 'Thank you.” You have learned how to make contacts and you have learned something new about yourself that you can do it. “

While the participants leave with a new experience, events such as the field of dreams for the players who report voluntarily are unforgettable.

“There is a part in which our players can easily forget how cool it is to be a soccer player of Division I and to be athletes – they live their dream,” said Dan Wolfe, deputy sports director of football businesses. “If you work here every day and wake up at 5 a.m. to start training from six o'clock every day, the loops are real, and sometimes you lose contact with it.”

Niu football players have to complete 10 hours of community service every year, although Wolfe found that the community participation is more than fulfilled by more than one quota.

“We are always looking for new opportunities to do things in the community,” said Wolfe. “It's not just about collecting the hours.

Wolfe added that the team will be open to more events with the Beautiful Lives Project in the future.

“Whenever you want to do it in the future, you just have to let us know and we will connect it, we will set it up, we will run for you,” said Wolfe.