In his sophomore year, Ben Brockmeier started the Champions Club at Western. The club is dedicated to spending time with the special needs students at Western. “We normally meet at their room, eat our lunches together, hang out, and then go down to the aux gym and play basketball and other sports.” While it functions like a normal club, the Champions Club is unique, and you wouldn’t find it at many other schools in America.

Brockmeier was inspired to create the club after regularly volunteering at special needs events around the area. “I frequently volunteered with our local Special Olympics as a soccer coach/helper, bowling helper, and tennis coach/helper. I also volunteered as a ball boy at many Boars Head Special Olympic tennis tournaments”. Through his volunteer work; he decided he wanted to bring that culture to Western. His favorite part of the club is sitting down and eating with the club members. “I have made so many new and amazing friendships over the past four years that I would not have if I had not started the club.”