AUSTIN, Texas — UT students are using fundraising and community partnerships to plan a special sports weekend for young people with life-altering conditions.
Now their work is centered on eight-year-old Campbell Broberg, an Austin boy with cerebral palsy and a big Longhorn fan.
“Campbell is kind and loving and goofy and creative and a really great big brother,” Campbell’s mom, Brooke Broberg, said. “He’s just an awesome kid.”
UT students are using fundraising and community partnerships to plan a special sports weekend for young people with life-altering conditions. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
For Campbell, this weekend means getting closer to the Longhorns he cheers for every week.
But the experience takes more than a game ticket. UT’s Collegiate Dream Team raised money and worked with Austin businesses and campus partners to put together three days of activities for Campbell.
“We just picked him up and surprised him from school with that big yard sign,” Founding Captain for Dream on 3, Madison Frain, said. “We’re having cake, and then we’re doing a little VIP experience, and then we’re going to have a team dinner with more cake. Because in a dream weekend, all we do is eat dessert. But that’s everyone’s dream. And then we’re taking rock climbing on campus. And then we’ll take him back to his hotel room, and we’ll see all the we have really fun goodies and gifts for him laying there.”
For Campbell, this weekend means getting closer to the Longhorns he cheers for every week. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
The team is part of Dream On 3, a national nonprofit that creates personalized sports events for children and young adults living with life-altering conditions. Campbell’s weekend includes a private rock-climbing session at Gregory Gym, a stadium tour and a chance to step onto Campbell-Williams Field.
“I thought I was going to the doctor,” Campbell said.
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Instead, Campbell is getting a weekend of Longhorn activities—including a signed jersey from his favorite player, Arch Manning.
“He’s really good,” Campbell said. “And I have a book about Arch Manning, Peyton Manning, Cooper Manning, and Eli Manning.”
Instead, Campbell is getting a weekend of Longhorn activities—including a signed jersey from his favorite player, Arch Manning. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
For Campbell’s family, the weekend also reflects how far he’s come. A stroke in utero affected the right side of his body. His parents were told he might not have the balance or coordination to ride a bike. He kept working at it.
“We said, not today,” Brooke said. “And so he has worked so hard with his therapist, who has been phenomenal, and he’s worked really hard at home with his dad. And he has basically pushed through what he was told he can’t do, and decided he was going to do it his own way.”
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The UT team also secured donated meals, services and activities from Austin businesses and campus partners to help make the weekend happen. (CBS Austin/Brenna Gibbons)
This weekend, Campbell will add a tailgate and the Texas-Ole Miss game to the list of Longhorn memories he can share with his family.
“Hook ’em,” Campbell said.
The UT team also secured donated meals, services, and activities from Austin businesses and campus partners to help make the weekend happen.