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The Boswell Homecoming began in October 2005. It was called the Fall Ball at that time and consisted of a football game between the individuals and staff. The game was an attempt to inspire the individuals to attend classes. To make the game even more exciting for the clients we contacted the Magee Jr. High School Band and Cheerleaders and persuaded them to perform a pep rally before the game. This became a tradition that has continued to this day. The individuals choses to name their team the Hurricanes because Katrina had brought so much destruction just a few months earlier. Staying with storm theme the staff selected Typhoons for their team. Coaches Calvert Sims Jr. and Jason Holloway started from scratch in preparing the Hurricanes for their first game. Their efforts paid off in many ways both on and off the field. In the weeks that proceeded the game the staff and individuals “trash talked” the game up to such a fevered pitch it resulted in a remarkable 98% class attendance rate. The Hurricanes won that game on a last second Hail Mary pass that was nothing short of miraculous.
In the years that followed we began playing Campus versus Community games. In the beginning it was a pretty even match up. But over several years the Community team began to pull away and the campus individuals noticed the change. They began to look at the community differently. Not as an equal rival, but as having more options and choices than those remaining on campus. Before long, everyone wanted to play for the Community team. This helped encourage several clients that wouldn’t consider moving into transitioning to a community setting. In 2014, we added the homecoming court to the festivities and changed the name to the BRC Homecoming.
The idea to begin playing local high schools was a result of the huge shift in our population from campus to community settings. During a recent class held by the Simpson County Development Fund (SCDF), I approached Marney Walker, Simpson County Academy’s Elementary Principle, and asked if he thought their high school would consider playing the Hurricanes? After telling him our story, and although he couldn’t speak for the Headmaster, Marney was firmly in our corner. Within a few days he called and said the game was on. Having set the date for the 22nd of October, I approach the other members of the Simpson County Development Fund’s Leaders Program and suggested we make this our class project. They immediately agreed and began sharing their experiences with our individuals. Each of them having a loved one with special needs or an experience with our clients that had touched them personally. Richard Rankin, the leader of the SCDF, even agreed to provide funding for the trophies and tiaras. As part of our project other community entities are participating in many different ways this year. Priority One Bank is providing funding and setting up a Poke a Pumpkin booth at the Fall Festival following the game. The Rotary Club is sponsoring a balloon artist and students from Simpson County Academy and the Simpson County Technical Center will be setting up booths as well. The Simpson County Technical Center will also be sending it’s students to tour our campus that morning in hopes of inspiring some of them to consider a career in working with people with special needs.
Thanks,
William Beeson
