The bond between 15-year-old Jack Donnelly and the UTC men’s basketball team is one that will last a lifetime.
Head coach Dan Earl says Jack is their biggest superfan.
He comes to every game, sits on the front row, high fives our guys, gives them a ton of energy. He’s traveled on the road with us, said Coach Earl.
Jack says he has been a Mocs fan since he was born, and is a fixture at their summer basketball camp.
He has an extra special bond with one player on the team, Trey Bonham.
I love this team and Trey is a good guy. And, you know, all the guys are good, said Jack.
Jack, who lives with Down syndrome, has been attending Mocs games regularly for the past 8 years.
However, this past year, he was front and center to watch the men’s team make history.
When we won the NIT, he was righaht there with us in the locker room. So it’s been fun. It was cool him witnessing he was our lucky charm. So it’s been cool for him to be along with the ride, said Bonham.
Trey says Jack is the 12th man on the team.
He’s a good guy. He’s a good coach, and I love him, said Jack.
Trey says Jack brings the energy on the sideline when they need it most.
He lifts us back up, so we just we see him courtside yelling, standing up so we can’t lose when he’s all hype for us, said Bonham.
Jack cheers on the guys saying things such as…
Keeping your head up. Have fun. Next game, said Jack.
So when you see Jack courtside next season, be sure to cheer along with him.