By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With Kaylan Cole standing with him in the circle and Brooklyn Stewart crouched behind home plate, Conner Staggs took the game ball and fired a perfect strike to Stewart, kicking off Wednesday's contest between the Tennessee Tech softball team and the visiting squad from Bellarmine.
Staggs, a Tennessee Tech student with Down Syndrome, took in the moment surrounded by the cheering members of the Golden Eagle softball team.
"I always tell people that Conner is an angel sent from God," Cole said. "He is my Best Buddy. We have a program here on campus called the Independence Program and Connor is a part of that. I'm a special education major at Tech and I met Conner through Julianne Johnson, who works with the Best Buddies and Independence Programs."
Although National Down Syndrome day was a week earlier, Cole and Johnson saw a perfect opportunity to give an exciting moment to a fellow Tech student and support them.
"I was on the bus to Missouri (to play Lindenwood)," Cole said. "Julianne texted me and said 'I'd love to have Conner come and throw out the first pitch.' It was past the 21st, but we had a home game coming up. I asked (head coach Danielle) Penner if we could have Conner come out and throw out the first pitch for National Down Syndrome Day and she just got it immediately. Within 20 minutes, the whole thing was accepted and ready to go."
It was spur-of-the-moment, sure, but everything came together quickly to provide the opportunity for Conner – and for Cole, it meant the world.
"I fell in love with Connor," she said. "He's kind, courageous, brave. I look up to Conner because he takes every step every day with a smile. He always puts a smile on everyone's face. He's my little inspiration buddy."
Cole, a transfer from the University of Tennessee, is currently a special education major at Tech and aims to continue her studies toward a master's degree in speech pathology. She was introduced to the University's Independence Program and the Best Buddies group through her classwork.
"The Independence Program came into one of my professors' classes last fall and we had a taco day and a Halloween event, but I met a few of my Best Buddies in there with Connor and Kian and a few others," Cole said. "I fell in love with the program. I think it's a great program here at Tech and in Cookeville."
The team took a Tech Softball jersey and each member signed it before giving it to Conner to wear for the special moment. As Cole led Staggs to the circle, the excitement was visible.
Cole knew Staggs was going to be able to make the play – after all, they'd had a little bit of practice the previous days.
"We'd been practicing for three days!" Cole said. "He got a strike in. Practice makes perfect."
It was obvious the moment meant a lot to Cole, especially because she knew how much it meant to Connor.
"It actually made me tear up," Cole said. "I told him I was so proud of him and he said, 'Thank you, ma'am. You're the best Kaylan and I love you.'"
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
