A Note from CEO Margaret Larsen: Big 12 Football Media Day

By Margaret Larsen

Last week, 10 of our Fort Worth-area athletes participated in filming a public service announcement for the Big 12 Athletic Conference.

What fun!

The videotaping took place during the Big 12 Football Media Days at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Dallas. Two floors of the hotel were given over to special rooms for television, print, web and radio reporters—some live radio talk shows were even taking place while we were there!  Our athletes were able to have their photos taken with the Big 12 Football Championship trophy, as well as photos with all of the school mascots. Everyone enjoyed seeing all the bustle that goes along with a major media event.

Next time you see Steven Gronke, Lyndon LaPlante, Angela Martin, Randall Outland, Kristine Smith, Zach Speight, Ileana Stefka, Marinela Stefka, Aaron Stephens and Tony Trojcak, be sure to ask for their autographs. They did an outstanding job with their assignments for the video shoot. The film crew complimented the athletes on their enthusiasm and professionalism. They made us all proud, as we knew they would.

The PSA will run during football game broadcasts during the 2012 season and throughout 2013 whenever a Big 12 athletic event appears on television. (Once we receive a copy of the PSA, we’ll post it on our Faceboook page [www.facebook.com/specialolympicstx]. Be sure to “like” us, so you can keep up with the latest news about Special Olympics Texas!)

The Big 12 and Special Olympics have been partners since the conference was created in 1996. We are fortunate to have such devoted friends. The schools and their athletes have been strong supporters of the Special Olympics programs in each of their states, welcoming our athletes on their campuses and including our athletes in many of their athletic events. If you ever have an opportunity to talk with representatives of the Big 12 schools, please be sure to thank them.