FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Students at Bullard High School are stepping into new shoes thanks to a donation from basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal.<\/p>\n
The students received free sneakers, surprising many as they laced them up for the first time on campus. About 2,400 pairs were distributed in a variety of color combinations, ranging from black and blue to red.<\/p>\n
The donation was made possible through a connection with Jonathan Clark, a teacher and coach at Bullard High who has participated in dunk competitions for years.<\/p>\n
Last fall, Clark competed in the “Dunkman” contest, where he caught O’Neal’s attention.<\/p>\n
“Shaq kind of saw my personality. He saw my presence as a teacher in what I do,” Clark said.<\/p>\n
Clark said he has worked alongside O’Neal at several events and has witnessed his generosity firsthand. That connection ultimately led O’Neal to send sneakers to students at the school.<\/p>\n
“When I heard I was getting free shoes, I was like ‘Wait, is this real?’ I thought someone was lying to us but then knowing it was real, it was awesome,” said senior Trinity Cunningham.<\/p>\n
Clark said the donation meets a real need for some students.<\/p>\n
“We have students who won’t dress out, not because they don’t care, but because of a lack of funding. To have students now have shoes and say, ‘I have shoes I can wear to PE,’ as a PE teacher, that makes me fired up,” he said.<\/p>\n
Students also recognized the impact of the gift on their peers.<\/p>\n
“Some people can’t afford shoes and this is just a really good opportunity for people who can’t do it to bring them,” said sophomore Victor Leyva.<\/p>\n
Bullard High School Principal Armen Torigian expressed gratitude for the donation.<\/p>\n
“Thank you. Thank you for being so humbling. Thank you for giving us these shoes and supporting our students,” Torigian said.<\/p>\n
School administrators said half of the student body received shoes on Wednesday. The remaining pairs are set to be handed out on Thursday. They also said there is a standing invitation for O’Neal to visit the campus in the future.<\/p>\n
For students at Bullard High, the donation provided more than just footwear – it offered support and opportunity, one pair at a time.<\/p>\n
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