How a tiger made difference to amazing atheletes

The Tigerman's one-man effort to make a difference for the Special Olympics

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COLUMBIA SC (WOLO) – There is just something rewarding about being an athlete – you work hard to become as skilled as you can, and compete against others who have done the same thing.  The spirit of competition, pride in competing hard, and even the endorphin rush are universal, regardless of the sport, position, or disability.

The Special Olympics have roots that lead back to 1962, when  Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for people with intellectual disabilities.  By 1968, the Special Olympics were organized and celebrating their first games.

Fast forward 47 or so years, and the Special Olympics are not some 5 million athletes strong, with partners in nearly 170 countries across the globe.

Almost 25,000 if those athletes are found in the Palmetto State, according to Leigh Lowery, with Special Olympics South Carolina.  Lowery also says that there are more than 400 competitions annually throughout South Carolina.  In addition, several athletes compete outside South Carolina, including the group from Florence headed to the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria.

Lowery says that competitors don’t pay to be an Olympian, so Special Olympics rely on support from businesses, individuals, and of course volunteers.  She says that sometimes, a volunteer is also a source for funding.

Andy Coppock is a great example.  Coppock, who is a Clemson fan made a deal on social media – He challenged friends and family to donate to Special Olympics, IF he could get his alter-ego, Tigerman, on ESPN Game Day during this last seasons Clemson/Louisville game.  Long story short, he did, and so did they.

During the two-weeks leading up to the game, donations poured in, all expecting to see this super hero of Death Valley show up on the national scene.  Tigerman did, in fact, have a brief cameo appearance on the pre-game show, and those who pledged made good on their deal.  In fact, by that Saturday, he had pledges in excess of $11,000.  Donors didn’t stop there.  As of the week before Christmas, Tigerman’s total for the Special Olympics of South Carolina is $13,795.

Clearly, Coppock intends to have his Tigerman top this year’s fundraising next year.  You can find out more about his project, and the Special Olympics of South Carolina HERE.