Mechanical engineering freshman Noah Vo jogs up stairs during the second annual Steps of Valor on Sept. 11,2025, at Maverick Stadium.
File photo / Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
The annual Steps of Valor 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is coming back at 7:40 a.m. Friday at Maverick Stadium.
Participants will climb the same number of steps as the first responders who risked their lives to enter the World Trade Center complex on Sept. 11, 2001.
There will be an opening ceremony with a speech from Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, followed by a moment of silence for the first tower being struck, said Thaddeus Shearin, Kappa Sigma Fraternity president. The climb will begin at 8:03 a.m., according to the Steps of Valor website.
The university ROTC will set off cannon fire signaling participants to start the climb alongside Greek life, Arlington first responders, DFW first responders, ROTC and community members, Shearin said.
The event is free to attend, and there will be water and breakfast tacos available on the field.
Those who wish to participate in the climb can register online and fill out a waiver on the Steps of Valor website.
Proceeds from the climb will go to helping support first responders and their families as well as veterans through the event.
“I can’t think of a better way to raise money for first responders than doing what the first responders did,” Shearin said.
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