AMES – In 2021, Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel participated in his first Victory Day as a player. On Friday, he took part in his fourth, something that he said was truly a blessing.

Victory Day is an annual tradition for the Iowa State football program, where children with disabilities and their families get time to engage with the team, experience Jack Trice Stadium and have a fun night the week before the season begins.

“It really just puts things into perspective, how blessed we are to be able to do what we do,” Noel said. “To be able to give back to the kids who came out today means everything to us.”

It offers a time for coaches and players to take a step back, reflect and realize that they are making a positive impact in the community. It is something head coach Matt Campbell saw at a high school camp and implemented to his team when he coached at Toledo.

“When we did it at the University of Toledo, it just took off,” Campbell said. “It was such a powerful event and I’ve always felt like coupling it with a week before the start of the season means a lot.”

Dozens of families took part in the festivities this year and every child who was there got to score a touchdown in the north endzone. The Iowa State Marching Band and cheer squad was there too, which added another level of pageantry to the night.

“For me, it shows a little bit too, of the victory of how special it is to play here and the commitment from our amazing band and our amazing cheer squad, that they would want to come out on a Friday night before the start of school and be a part of this,” Campbell said.

Each child was introduced with a supporting player, who was assigned to them for the entire event. Once each pair ran out onto the field, they were greeted by the cheer squad and band, which signaled that it was time to get underway.

Aside from the main event with the Cyclone offense and defense, passing areas, tackling drills, footwork drills and more could be seen all around the field. It gave each child the chance to try out something new at all times.

“It’s super joyful, seeing all the kids smiling and having fun,” senior defensive end Joey Petersen said.

Victory Day allowed for a break from the day-to-day grind and gave everyone a chance to do something fun with people from the community.

“It’s not just about football,” Campbell said. “It’s about how do you use your platform to make a difference in the lives of others.”

From seniors participating in their final Victory Day, to incoming freshmen and transfers taking part in their first, all Cyclone players could be seen interacting with the kids and their families throughout the stadium.

“It’s a really cool experience,” Petersen said. “Until you actually get to it, get into the event, it’s really cool.”

Though the event lasted around 90 minutes, the memories for these families will last a lifetime.

“It’s a victory for everybody,” Campbell said. “It’s a victory for these young people that get the opportunity to go through it. It’s a victory for their families to be able to experience something that they may never get a chance to experience.”