Temple University Athletics
Football Huddles Up for Autism
4.27.15 | Football, Outreach
PHILADELPHIA – As the sun shined high in the skies of Philadelphia, the Temple football team emerged from the tunnel at Lincoln Financial Field. But on a Sunday afternoon in April, the team was about to participate in a different kind of game.
With 2,000 participants, 23 Temple Owls helped running drills on the field with families from the Center for Autism Research (CAR) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Other activities for the families included stadium and locker room tours, appearances by Eagles players and cheerleaders, and live entertainment, such as a magician and a theater show, which a few Temple players participated in.
Samantha Allgood, the Eagles Community Relations and Youth Football Coordinator, helped coordinate the event to support CAR and offer a place for families to have a fun-filled day.
"The Eagles are committed to supporting cutting-edge autism research that will provide answers and guidance for families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In order to make breakthrough discoveries in autism, children and adults are needed to join autism research studies, even if they do not have autism," said Allgood. "The Eagles sponsored Huddle Up for Autism to raise funds to support CAR and to encourage fans to sign up for autismMatch, a directory matching families to research studies in our region."
Temple QB John Loughery took a special interest in Huddle Up for Autism because of his connection to ASD.
"I volunteered because autism is very important to me," said Loughery. "I have a cousin who is autistic and my best friend's younger brother is autistic, so growing up, it's always been a part of my life. I try to volunteer and give back in any way I can to support Autism Speaks."
According to Allgood, the Eagles have partnered with CAR since 2009 to put on this event. In its sixth year, the event had over 200 volunteers who helped to make the city of Philadelphia more aware of ASD.
"I think advocating for kids with autism is something near and dear to everyone at the Eagles organization," said Allgood. "It's something we're passionate about and something we want to increase awareness about, so it's extremely important for us to do that in the Philadelphia community."
Loughery noticed that the event was fun for all the participants, young and old.
"You could see the kids were very happy and they were enjoying themselves, and even their families got out there to play games and interact. I think it's a great thing for them."
Attendees of the event had a chance to fundraise for CAR, with the top fundraisers earning prizes such as Eagles tickets and other prizes.
In addition to Loughery, yesterday's participants included: Tom Bradway, Alex Carling, Jim Cooper, Marshall Ellick, Avery Ellis, David Hood, Josh Lang, Corey Lerch, Jacob Martin, Prosper Mekoba, Zach Mesday, Dean Mosley, Eric Neefe, Michael Ockimey, Semaj Reed, Deon Smith, Alex Starzyk, Gordon Thomas, William Updegrove, P.J. Walker, Niko Walsh, and Hershey Walton.
Photo Gallery
With 2,000 participants, 23 Temple Owls helped running drills on the field with families from the Center for Autism Research (CAR) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Other activities for the families included stadium and locker room tours, appearances by Eagles players and cheerleaders, and live entertainment, such as a magician and a theater show, which a few Temple players participated in.
Samantha Allgood, the Eagles Community Relations and Youth Football Coordinator, helped coordinate the event to support CAR and offer a place for families to have a fun-filled day.
"The Eagles are committed to supporting cutting-edge autism research that will provide answers and guidance for families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In order to make breakthrough discoveries in autism, children and adults are needed to join autism research studies, even if they do not have autism," said Allgood. "The Eagles sponsored Huddle Up for Autism to raise funds to support CAR and to encourage fans to sign up for autismMatch, a directory matching families to research studies in our region."
Temple QB John Loughery took a special interest in Huddle Up for Autism because of his connection to ASD.
"I volunteered because autism is very important to me," said Loughery. "I have a cousin who is autistic and my best friend's younger brother is autistic, so growing up, it's always been a part of my life. I try to volunteer and give back in any way I can to support Autism Speaks."
According to Allgood, the Eagles have partnered with CAR since 2009 to put on this event. In its sixth year, the event had over 200 volunteers who helped to make the city of Philadelphia more aware of ASD.
"I think advocating for kids with autism is something near and dear to everyone at the Eagles organization," said Allgood. "It's something we're passionate about and something we want to increase awareness about, so it's extremely important for us to do that in the Philadelphia community."
Loughery noticed that the event was fun for all the participants, young and old.
"You could see the kids were very happy and they were enjoying themselves, and even their families got out there to play games and interact. I think it's a great thing for them."
Attendees of the event had a chance to fundraise for CAR, with the top fundraisers earning prizes such as Eagles tickets and other prizes.
In addition to Loughery, yesterday's participants included: Tom Bradway, Alex Carling, Jim Cooper, Marshall Ellick, Avery Ellis, David Hood, Josh Lang, Corey Lerch, Jacob Martin, Prosper Mekoba, Zach Mesday, Dean Mosley, Eric Neefe, Michael Ockimey, Semaj Reed, Deon Smith, Alex Starzyk, Gordon Thomas, William Updegrove, P.J. Walker, Niko Walsh, and Hershey Walton.
Photo Gallery
Players Mentioned
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