Meet Zach

Meet Zach! This 13-year-old Rockstar from Birmingham, AL is an incredible young man. He loves everything basketball and is a big fan of Samford University, especially all of the student-athletes.

Zach lives with Retinitis Pigmentosa, which has caused intellectual development delays. However, he has not let anything stop him from playing basketball with his friends and teammates! Zach thrives through meaningful relationships with those who see him for who he is and not his circumstances.

The Samford Collegiate Dream Team is thrilled to have Zach as their 2024 Dream Recipient. Zach’s ultimate sports dream is to be a VIP at a Samford basketball game and practice with the team!

Zach's Dream

Day one of Zach’s Samford University Dream was amazing! The afternoon started with a surprise send off at Zach’s school including his classmates! Samford Football and Samford Men’s Basketball players were there to cheer Zach on along with members of the Samford Collegiate Dream Team.

After, we headed to campus to tour the basketball and football facilities! Here, Zach was able to shoot hoops with both the Men’s and Samford Women’s Basketball teams! Next, we enjoyed a campus tour and pizza dinner. The day ended with the sweetest welcome at Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa who surprised Zach and his family with the sweetest note and lots of goodies!

Day two and three of Zach’s Samford University Dream were so sweet! Saturday started with breakfast with the Samford Collegiate Dream Team captains followed by playing basketball and volleyball together at the Samford rec center. The magic continued as we sat courtside for the Samford Men’s Basketball game warmups. Zach was recognized as the Jr. Captain during the game and was welcomed to center court by a cheering arena! Zach was able to meet the Samford band and loved meeting the trumpet players because he plays trumpet too.

After, the crew headed back to sit courtside while the Samford Women’s Basketball team warmed up for their game. Here, they presented Zach with a jersey, which the men’s team then autographed.

Zach ended the day at the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa pool, which he couldn’t have loved more!

On Sunday, the crew was picked up once again by our friends with Accent Limo & Party Bus, who has been so incredible, for one last ride to breakfast. Here, the Samford Collegiate Dream Team enjoyed wrapping up the weekend with Zach and his family talking about all of their favorite moments. It was truly a Dream come true weekend thanks to the Samford Collegiate Dream Team!

Thank you to Samford CDT sponsor, RxBenefits and national CDT sponsor, Volvo Construction Equipment.

Dream Snapshots

Volvo
Thank you to our National Collegiate Dream Team Sponsor, Volvo Construction Equipment, and to Samford CDT Sponsor, RX Benefits