Newberry College Athletics has been partnering with the Screaming Eagles Special Needs Athletics organization for the last decade. The partnership between the two organizations provides the chance to connect and show inclusion through sports.
Courtesy photos
NEWBERRY — For a decade, Newberry College Athletics and Screaming Eagles Special Needs Athletics have joined hands to bring joy, connection, and inclusion through sports. Founded in 2017, The Screaming Eagles provide unique athletic experiences through partnering with local elementary, middle, and high schools and with colleges and universities.
Their vision is to make a facility open to all, but beholden to none, serving this and future generations to come. This commitment to community lives in every event they host, and the Newberry relationship is a shining example.
From Newberry’s side, the collaboration is equally valued.
“Newberry College’s involvement in our community is invaluable. The support that the community shows towards our college is one of the many things that makes this place so special. The City of Newberry and Newberry College work well together and it’s our opportunity to give back to a community that gives us so many things. The partnership we have with the Screaming Eagles is a tremendous opportunity to not only give back, but also to show our athletes why we play our sport – for the fun, love, and passion of that sport. During the time we’re together with the Screaming Eagles, it brings us back to a simpler time when we were kids playing in our backyards for all of those reasons. There’s not another game that we circle on our calendar that is more important than this game,” said Jay Snyder, Head Baseball Coach.
For Newberry’s softball program, the annual game carries just as much weight.
“It’s big for us! It is the biggest game on the schedule every year for us! The girls look forward to it, and they love giving back to the community,” said Mitch Smith, Head Softball Coach. His words reflect the spirit that underscores the partnership: athletics as service.
The Screaming Eagles’ leadership sees the impact firsthand.
“This is our 10th annual year with Newberry. I would say the biggest thing is that you guys (Newberry Athletics) come out in full force, bringing all the softball, all the baseball teams, and announcing. The kids have a blast!” said Jenny Bowers, owner of the Screaming Eagles. The energy and involvement of Newberry’s teams make the day extra special for participants.
“Out of all the teams that we’ve been engaged with, Newberry is by far, you know, one of the best ones as far as providing the opportunity for us to come out and the facilities and bringing the whole baseball team, softball team out. It goes to show you the kind of culture you have at Newberry. Extremely grateful to be able to partner with Newberry College,” said Patrick Bowers, owner of the Screaming Eagles.
As Newberry College and the Screaming Eagles enter this milestone year together, their decade-long partnership stands as a testament to what can happen when athletics, community, and service converge. The shared goal is clear: to give back, to include, and to celebrate sport’s power to unite.
Learn more about Screaming Eagles Special Needs Athletics https://screamingeaglesspecialneeds.org/.