Xavier Athletics Supports Devin's Team at 2015 Buddy Walk

CINCINNATI – Nearly all of Xavier's student-athletes joined a great cause on Saturday as part of the Greater Down Syndrome Association of Cincinnati's 14th Annual Buddy Walk.

All of the Musketeer contingent was on hand to support Devin's Team, named after men's soccer head coach Andy Fleming's daughter, who was born with the condition. It was the fifth consecutive successful year for Devin's Team, which was represented by nearly 300 walkers.

"The support that the university has showed, our first Buddy Walk in 2011 was very well-attended, and then today it's just a slam dunk," said Fleming. "It's beyond anything I could have imagined. I'm not surprised at all, I think a good athletic department and its teams marry the mission – and I think at other universities this might not go over as well – but I think Xavier does a great job of supporting it and I thought Stephanie Hurley and the academic advising staff did a great job of bringing other teams in. I can't tell you how I feel, but I certainly feel very special and it reminds me every year when we do this that Xavier is a special place."

In just five years, Devin's Team has quickly become one of the highest-earning teams in Cincinnati and all of Ohio. Devin turned four on May 2 and attends Terrace Park Elementary School. She attends a pre-kindergarten program four days a week, riding the bus each day with children K-5. She participated in horseback riding and tumbling classes this winter and will do swimming this summer.

About The Buddy Walk:
The Buddy Walk was established in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The Buddy Walk® had another record breaking year in 2014 with more than 315,000 participants raising nearly $13 million dollars in more than 250 events across the country and around the world. The event supports local programs and services, as well as National Down Syndrome Society advocacy and public awareness initiatives that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome.

Andy Fleming Full Interview

Social Media Highlights

Check out @XavierXCTF , @XavierMSOC , @XavierWSOC , and @XavierBASE at today's Buddy Walk! #BIGEASTSERVES pic.twitter.com/P3jNc4P5cY
— X-treme Fans (@XU_Xtreme_Fans) September 12, 2015

A privilege to be at the @DSAGC Buddy Walk this morning! Always a special day. #BIGEASTSERVES #JesuitEducated pic.twitter.com/vR9RsoPr6M
— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) September 12, 2015

What a great turnout for the 2015 @DSAGC Buddy Walk and #DevinsTeam! #BIGEASTSERVES #JesuitEducated pic.twitter.com/mYnlYzEDEL
— Xavier Musketeers (@XUAthletics) September 12, 2015

A few photos from today's Buddy Walk. A great turn out for a great event! #BIGEASTSERVES #JesuitEducated #BuddyWalk pic.twitter.com/exUUymjD6R
— XU Scholar Athletes (@XU_SAASS) September 12, 2015

#BuddyWalk time! @CoachChrisMack and the guys hanging out at Sawyer Point before the walk starts! #DevinsTeam pic.twitter.com/KiWRZp06sU
— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) September 12, 2015

Schedule

Upcoming Events