Liberty University packs arena to cheer on Special Olympians in first-of-its-kind event

LYNCHBURG (WSLS 10) - It was a sea of red and blue as Liberty University's Convocation hosted more than 100 Special Olympics athletes for a first-of-its-kind event in the Vines Center. Special Olympians from three local high schools showed off their talents Wednesday morning.

Together, a crowd of 10,000 Liberty University students packed the arena to cheer on more than 120 Special Olympians power-lifting and with the sound of the buzzer, basketball.

Special Olympian and point guard Logan Arrington made six shots.

Logan said it's a game and crowd he'll never forget.

"They're cheering ‘go Logan' and ‘go red team'," said Logan.

Shooting hoops alongside his coach and Liberty University junior Brock Lucas, the duo told us this experience, practicing together over the last month has led to a one-of-a-kind friendship.

"We can do this together and there's nothing that we can't do together," said Lucas.

And standing in the crowd watching was Logan's biggest supporter, his mother Angela.

"It was over whelming to my heart," said Angela. "I've shed so many tears, but tears of joy because I know what this meant to Logan. But, as a parent of a special needs child, their needs are different from other kids."

Angela added it's a game where each kid feels like a star.  As for Logan, this game is not the end, but the beginning.