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CCSU Football teams up to bring competition and fun with the Beautiful Lives Project

For the second straight year, the Blue Devils invited guests of all ages and abilities to Arute Field to partake in football drills.

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — For the second consecutive year, Central Connecticut State University teamed up with the Beautiful Lives Project to organize a football camp at Arute Field.

Approximately 40 people of all ages and all abilities gathered in New Britain on Thursday morning to participate in various football drills alongside the CCSU football players.

"Today's event is about giving back to the community and providing people with the opportunity to enjoy the game that we all love," said Blue Devils quarterback, Matt Jenner. "Seeing the smiles on their faces makes all of our days."

The camp was filled with a variety of football-related activities, from tackling drills to touchdown celebrations.

"Seeing them smile and give high fives to our players, it puts a lot of things into perspective," said CCSU head football coach Adam Lechtenberg.

Founded six years ago, the Beautiful Lives Project is a non-profit organization that schedules immersive and inclusive events across the United States for people of all ages and abilities.

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“I want to help people with disabilities to be as successful as they can be in life and to use these events with the Beautiful Lives Project as the jumping off point, to help people with disabilities to have their own life-changing moments," said Bryce Weiler, the co-founder of the Beautiful Lives Project. "Using these events as a vehicle to show that people with disabilities can do whatever they dream about doing in life if someone is only willing to give them opportunities to achieve that." 

“We’re giving them a chance to be on a team for a day," said Tony Gionfriddo, the Executive Director of the Beautiful Lives Project. "Something that many of them never had a chance to do. They’re all beautiful lives, to us.” 

Jonah Karp is the sports director at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jkarp@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook and X.

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