At halftime of the St. Thomas junior varsity football game on September 19, Eagle football players and West University Challenger athletes came together for a night of entertainment under the lights. The Challenger athletes joined St. Thomas varsity football players on the field, ran plays, talked, danced, and enjoyed each other’s company.

“If all they want to do is sit there and talk, then we’re sitting and talking,” Netzel said. “Whatever they want to do, they get to do it under the lights, in front of a crowd, getting cheered on.”

The Challenger Division of West University Little League began in 2005 as a baseball program for boys and girls with physical and mental disabilities, ages 5 through the final year of high school or 22 – whichever comes first.  The opening day of that program, led by Challenger director Joni Fichter, was a success, with First Lady Barbara Bush throwing the first pitch to the Little League International president. The final game of that season was played on the White House lawn.

In the years since its eventful initiation, the West U Challenger program has grown. Along with baseball, it now includes basketball, cheerleading, and football, all of which are hosted at St. Thomas throughout the year.

“We have a great time every year,” Fichter said. “We couldn’t do it without the buddies at St. Thomas. They really make it what it is.”

Each year, the Challenger game takes place during halftime of a junior varsity football game, so that participants and their families have a true game-day experience at Granger Stadium and avoid the traffic and scheduling stressors of attending a varsity home game. The participants are also served a catered dinner.

“We make sure to serve dinner so that it simplifies the ride home for these families,” Netzel said. “It also gives our boys a chance to really just hang out with them and visit.”

In its 18 years of playing at St. Thomas, the Challenger program has consistently provided a wholesome and entertaining night for both the football players and the Challenger athletes.

“The St. Thomas boys always handle themselves so well,” Fichter said. “They have the heart that you need to do this, and that makes it so special.”

If you have any questions about Challenger Football, Baseball, Cheerleading, or Basketball, please contact Joni Fichter at careerplacementhouston@gmail.com.

Article by Sarah Jane Lasley

Photo credits: Max Demarest (’26)