Colorado Football recently hosted its second annual Special Olympics Camp inside its state-of-the-art facility, and it wasn’t just the players making an impact.
The CU Aunties showed up with unmatched energy, warmth, and love, making the day even more special for every kid who walked through those doors.
Their presence reminded everyone why this team feels like family.
Special Olympics Camp Brings Out the Best in CU Aunties
The CU Aunties showed up big at Colorado’s Special Olympics Camp, and their joy was contagious from the start. One of the aunties summed it up perfectly: “Today is my absolute favorite camp… My absolute favorite camp today is our Special Olympics camp.” With a wide smile, she continued, “We have our participants here today, we are so excited.”
For her, this wasn’t just another event. It was something deeper. “This is my absolute favorite camp, and it’s because we are big on giving back to the community,” she said. She credited Coach Prime for setting the tone: “You know Coach Prime is always on us about making sure we give back to the community, and this Special Olympics camp is exactly what we need here.”
Munirah Small, a member of the CU Aunties, beamed with pride as she shared, “Originally, when we started off as CU Aunties, it started off as just a group of women loving football wanting to support Coach Prime, the mission of the program. And then once we got to Boulder and got to see the umbrella of what the Boulder family is here, quite naturally, anything and everything affiliated, you just kind of get drawn to it.”
“I’m a nurse. I work with these kind of kids all the time, so this was just like breathing.” She added, “It has really been a lot of fun. Watching the kids come to see the in and outs of some of their heroes and icons. As adults, sometimes we get lost in the sauce. We forget the little things that just make all living worth living. And when you come out here and work with the kids, children are the most honest creatures in the world, and they will remind you what not to take for granted.”
For the CU Aunties, the experience was a blast from the past. “While we out here panting for air, cracking knees, we are getting back to our childhood, and remembering what’s really important.” And with full hearts, they gave thanks: “When you have a leader like Coach Prime, it’s easy to get behind and just blessed to be part of it.”
What is the Special Olympics Camp
Special Olympics, founded in 1969, empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities through the transformative power of sports.
With year-round training and competitions in Olympic-type sports, it gives athletes have the chance to build physical fitness, develop confidence, and discover their abilities.
More than just sports, it’s about inclusion, joy, empowerment, and most of all, community. Participants experience the thrill of competition while forming lifelong friendships and inspiring others around them.
Special Olympics athletes show the world what’s possible when support meets determination. The mission is clear: to create opportunities for growth, courage, and shared celebration on and off the playing field for everyone involved.
The 2024 Special Olympics Camp
The 2024 edition of Colorado Football’s Special Olympics camp was equally fantastic. Chaka Sutton of Special Olympics Colorado shared his excitement: “We’re doing like a small football clinic for our Special Olympics athletes… having to see your football team come out and help out is awesome.”
Coach Prime himself was on the field, giving hands-on guidance. “You see the logo? Aim right there. Put a little power,” he told a kid while coaching.
Players from different positions came out to support, including kicker Alejandro Mata. “They come out and support us on Saturday, so we have to show our love back to them,” he said. Mata added that working with the kids re-energized him: “It’s like that second wind… makes you want to be a better person overall.”
Chaka Sutton says they plan to keep the momentum going and double attendance in future events.
This camp isn’t just about football. It’s about unity, community, and the power of giving back.
Also Read: Deion Sanders’ Colorado Now Has 8 Elite Defensive Backs on the Roster