SAAC | 4/14/2026 1:18:54 PM
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2026 - HOUGHTON UNIVERSITY, NIELSEN CENTER
Excitement had been building for weeks leading up to the 2026 Buddy Basketball Tournament. Clayton Templeton, Mike Potter, Hunter Nickens, all returning participants, shared how ready they were to tkae the court, each hoping to claim the title of 2026 Buddy Basketball Tournament champion.
Buddy Basketball was originally created by former Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president Amanda (Burrichter) Myers to raise awareness for World Downsyndrome Day. She wanted to do more than just encourage people to wear blue and gold or crazy socks, she wanted to create something meaningful and interactive that truly celebrated and included individuals with Down syndrome. What started as a small event with just three buddies, has grown through SAAC's efforts to six participants this year, including the youngest at just eight years old, who quickly became a fan favorite and one of the stars of the night.
The stands were filled with fans eager to support the athletes, created an atmosphere full of energy, smiles and laughter. Four teams competed, each made up of one buddy paired with Houghton University student-athletes from women's soccer, men's soccer, cross country/track and field and softball. Meanwhile, members of the field hockey and women's volleyball teams helped bring the spirit, making signs and serving as dedicated cheerleaders with two designated buddies alongside them throughout the event.
At halftime, the energy only grew as the buddies took part in a dance-off with several baseball student-athletes, which quickly turned into a full-court dancec party that had everyone involved.
As one parent of a participating buddy shared, "This event makes them feel like superstars."
By the end of the night, it was clear the Buddy Basketball is about far more than competition, it's about creating lasting memories, building connections and making every participant feel like a true champion.