Baseball

Making a Difference

N Our Voice by Brooks Kneifl

Making a DifferenceScott Bruhn

I've never seen that big of a smile on someone's face in my entire life.

On my Unified Bowling team last year, I was playing with a young man named Brady.

We were losing in the final frame and needed a couple of pins to give us the victory and send us to state.

In Unified Sports, winning and losing obviously pales in comparison to the real objective, which is to give kids with disabilities a sense of value and belonging in the joy they bring to this world.

But still, winning is a pretty great feeling, especially when I saw Brady's face and how happy he was when he knocked down enough pins to give us victory.

He was absolutely elated.

And that was one of the most wholesome experiences I've ever been a part of.

More than anything, that's why I love working with kids with disabilities.

They haven't been afforded the same opportunities as the rest of us, but with Unified Sports, they're put in positions to succeed and have fun competing.

From a young age, I've had an innate passion for being involved and helping kids with disabilities. That passion has only grown now that I'm at Nebraska and had the privilege of recently participating in Husker Heroes, which is an outreach event for kids with special needs and their families to hang out and play games with Husker athletes.

I came to Nebraska to pitch and play baseball, but I also know I have a bigger responsibility than controlling my pitches and striking batters out.

I have the ability – not to mention the platform – to make a difference and impact as many kids' lives as I can.

Usually, they don't get to compete in all of these sports. Unified sports have created just great experiences for these kids with disabilities and it's just fantastic for them. Unified bowling brings us all together.

Brooks Kneifl

A fulfilling passion

My involvement with Unified Sports and working with kids with special needs started early in my high school career. The special needs teacher at my school, Kayla Varley, approached me one day and asked if I wanted to join the Unified Bowling team.

I was a freshman or a sophomore at the time, so I was pretty young. At the time, I was naive to how much of an impact I could make.

But something inside me told me to give it a try, and man, I'm so glad I did.

To this day, it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.

It's changed my life for the better.

Like I said, it's not about winning or losing. Just seeing these kids have fun – whether they get strikes or not – is what it's all about.

All the practices and team bonding events are what I remember the most.

Truthfully, those were some of the best days of my high school career.

In addition to Unified Bowling, we also had what we called Spring Sprints.

Essentially, it's where various schools with special needs kids come to Wayne, Nebraska, (my hometown) to compete in all these different track and field events.

It started out kind of small, but it's really taken off in the last few years. I believe there are around 10 to 15 schools that take part in the event now, so that's also been remarkable to be involved in.

Without Kayla, I'm not sure I ever would've found that passion and fulfillment, so I have an incredible amount of gratitude toward her for influencing and shaping my life.

The Big Red impact

Growing up in Wayne, I've always cheered for the Huskers, and it's always been my dream to be a Husker. But beyond the baseball field, an event like Husker Heroes reaffirms the notion that this is where I was meant to be.

The event was an absolute blast.

There were probably around 100 special needs students and approximately 50 of us student-athletes.

It took place on the football field, and we had all sorts of activities — face painting, dancing, soccer, football, basketball, and much more.

I had so much fun getting to know the kids that came out.

What I can't get over is how many autographs I signed that day. I've never signed that many in my life.

These kids didn't even care who we were or what sports we played. They just knew we were Husker athletes, and they were in absolute awe of us.

That's why I love that Nebraska's hosted this event for 13 years and counting now because it's such a difference maker.

I'll never forget talking with a little guy named Hunter - just taking the time to get to know him and asking him about his life. 

His mom messaged me on Instagram afterward, thanking me for making his day and how much our conversation meant to him.

There isn't a better feeling than putting a smile on a kid's face, and I'm unbelievably grateful that I have the opportunity and platform to be able to do that on a consistent basis.

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Doing what I love

I've always believed that God has a plan for my life, even if it's a plan I didn't quite expect.

When I arrived at Nebraska, I planned to major in Physical Education, but I quickly discovered that they don't have a PE program.

Truth be told, it all worked out for the best because if they did, I probably wouldn't be majoring in Special Education like I am now, which is where my true passion lies.

Being able to teach and coach special education students is my dream.

Not only do I want to make a difference in their lives, but I want to be there for them and provide them with the opportunities they rightfully deserve.

What I don't always think gets talked about enough with these kids is how difficult some of their home lives are or what they have to go through on a daily basis.

I want to be someone who creates a fun, healthy, and active lifestyle for kids with special needs.

What's that old saying, do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life?

That's truly how I'd feel if given the opportunity to establish relationships with these kids and see them grow and prosper in and out of the classroom.

I've seen firsthand how knocking down a few bowling pins or having a simple conversation can make their entire day and potentially change the direction of their life.

Whether they know it or not, it makes my day, too.

And their influence on me means more than they'll ever know.

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