With the global Olympic Games set to begin, excitement is in the air — and for us, it’s a reminder of the impact happening much closer to home through Fuqua Special Olympics. As members of the Fuqua Special Olympics (FSO) Club, we’ve seen firsthand how sports can build community, foster inclusion, and create moments of connection that extend far beyond competition. FSO embodies the spirit of competition and camaraderie while championing inclusivity and empowerment for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
The club was established in 1989 by a group of Fuqua students who wanted to give back to the Durham community. Over the years, the club has leveraged fundraising events to support athletes with intellectual disabilities across North Carolina. To date, FSO has raised more than $2.8 million for Special Olympics North Carolina, funding uniforms, equipment, and training opportunities for athletes across the state. Being part of that legacy has shaped how we think about service, teamwork, and what it really means to show up for others.
One of the most visible and memorable ways that mission comes to life each year is through the FSO Derby, a fundraising event that brings together students, faculty, and clubs from across Fuqua. The annual event is equal parts competition, creativity, and community.
KELLY: My favorite part about any derby has always been seeing students and faculty come together to support the community. This year, we moved the derby indoors, which allowed us to host a number of brand new games. One of the new additions was giant pong, where teams played oversized beer pong and threw balls across the Fox Center. This was very popular, and a number of students were asking to play hours before the event even started. We also did inflatable wrestling, which was very fun.
Two wrestlers preparing to face off at the FSO Derby in 2025
MARAE: My favorite part of this year’s FSO Derby was seeing so many different clubs come together to compete for a good cause. There was a genuine excitement around showing up, participating, and raising awareness for Special Olympics — especially for students who may not have been familiar with it before, including international students.
Being involved with FSO has taught us that impact doesn’t look just one way. Whether it’s fundraising, volunteering, coaching, or helping behind the scenes, there are countless ways to contribute — and all of them matter.
MARAE: I worked closely with Special Olympics during my time at West Point, which has a similar student-run program supporting the Hudson Valley Special Olympics. When I was recruiting for my MBA, I was excited to explore similar opportunities at Fuqua.
Through my involvement with FSO, I learned how many different ways there are to support Special Olympics. I didn’t realize you could get involved not only as an event volunteer, but also as a coach or by helping out at practices, which made the opportunity feel much more accessible.
Students taking part in a relay race during the FSO Derby in 2022
KELLY: The biggest thing I have learned from FSO is that any contribution matters. Financially, the small donations add up quickly, but I think the bigger thing is the effort Team Fuqua puts in.
This year, we were able to volunteer directly with Special Olympics North Carolina. A few of our esteemed medical providers provided medical support. Josh Heebner led the team by providing basic medical services and stood ready to assist in any situation. Although the team only dispatched a few bandages and made sure the athletes were hydrated, I do feel like their support was noticed.
The team also assisted in other ways, such as setting up, tearing down, overseeing games for elementary children, and handing out awards. While each volunteering activity I participated in this year only took a few hours, they have been some of my favorite memories of Team Fuqua.
The Fuqua community’s support for Special Olympics extends well beyond a single event through a legacy that illustrates the positive impact of community-driven initiatives.
MARAE: Fuqua’s support for Special Olympics is incredibly strong. People were eager and enthusiastic to support the Derby, and what stood out most was that even after the event, many students were asking how they could continue getting involved. That level of sustained interest and curiosity felt really meaningful.
It’s a commitment that I will take with me when I return to West Point as an instructor after completing my MBA. I already look forward to rejoining the Special Olympics program there.
KELLY: This year I thought the support was great. We did a new form of fundraising where clubs submitted teams and then donated to give their team an advantage. While this is similar to previous years, it put a new emphasis on fundraising as a team and not focusing on individuals.
Our biggest contributor was the Duke Armed Forces Association (DAFA), but almost every club showed support in some way. The faculty were also supportive, with a few professors returning to compete and help us raise money.
Students cheering on their classmates in the FSO Derby in 2025
By promoting inclusivity, awareness, and engagement, events like the FSO Derby create a lasting influence on athletes and their families. This spirit of inclusion adds to Team Fuqua, reinforcing its commitment to diversity and support for all participants and fostering a sense of belonging that extends beyond the classroom.
As we prepare to cheer on athletes competing on the international stage, we’re reminded that there are champions right here at home as well. We hope others will consider getting involved — whether by volunteering, participating in an event, or simply learning more about Special Olympics North Carolina. Every effort helps create an environment where everyone can thrive, and we’re grateful to be part of a community that continues to make that possible.
The post Celebrating The Legacy of Fuqua Special Olympics appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.
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The club was established in 1989 by a group of Fuqua students who wanted to give back to the Durham community. Over the years, the club has leveraged fundraising events to support athletes with intellectual disabilities across North Carolina. To date, FSO has raised more than $2.8 million for Special Olympics North Carolina, funding uniforms, equipment, and training opportunities for athletes across the state. Being part of that legacy has shaped how we think about service, teamwork, and what it really means to show up for others.
Experiencing the Fuqua Special Olympics Derby
One of the most visible and memorable ways that mission comes to life each year is through the FSO Derby, a fundraising event that brings together students, faculty, and clubs from across Fuqua. The annual event is equal parts competition, creativity, and community.
KELLY: My favorite part about any derby has always been seeing students and faculty come together to support the community. This year, we moved the derby indoors, which allowed us to host a number of brand new games. One of the new additions was giant pong, where teams played oversized beer pong and threw balls across the Fox Center. This was very popular, and a number of students were asking to play hours before the event even started. We also did inflatable wrestling, which was very fun.
Two wrestlers preparing to face off at the FSO Derby in 2025
MARAE: My favorite part of this year’s FSO Derby was seeing so many different clubs come together to compete for a good cause. There was a genuine excitement around showing up, participating, and raising awareness for Special Olympics — especially for students who may not have been familiar with it before, including international students.
What We’ve Learned Through FSO
Being involved with FSO has taught us that impact doesn’t look just one way. Whether it’s fundraising, volunteering, coaching, or helping behind the scenes, there are countless ways to contribute — and all of them matter.
MARAE: I worked closely with Special Olympics during my time at West Point, which has a similar student-run program supporting the Hudson Valley Special Olympics. When I was recruiting for my MBA, I was excited to explore similar opportunities at Fuqua.
Through my involvement with FSO, I learned how many different ways there are to support Special Olympics. I didn’t realize you could get involved not only as an event volunteer, but also as a coach or by helping out at practices, which made the opportunity feel much more accessible.
Students taking part in a relay race during the FSO Derby in 2022
KELLY: The biggest thing I have learned from FSO is that any contribution matters. Financially, the small donations add up quickly, but I think the bigger thing is the effort Team Fuqua puts in.
This year, we were able to volunteer directly with Special Olympics North Carolina. A few of our esteemed medical providers provided medical support. Josh Heebner led the team by providing basic medical services and stood ready to assist in any situation. Although the team only dispatched a few bandages and made sure the athletes were hydrated, I do feel like their support was noticed.
The team also assisted in other ways, such as setting up, tearing down, overseeing games for elementary children, and handing out awards. While each volunteering activity I participated in this year only took a few hours, they have been some of my favorite memories of Team Fuqua.
Community Support and Shared Momentum
The Fuqua community’s support for Special Olympics extends well beyond a single event through a legacy that illustrates the positive impact of community-driven initiatives.
MARAE: Fuqua’s support for Special Olympics is incredibly strong. People were eager and enthusiastic to support the Derby, and what stood out most was that even after the event, many students were asking how they could continue getting involved. That level of sustained interest and curiosity felt really meaningful.
It’s a commitment that I will take with me when I return to West Point as an instructor after completing my MBA. I already look forward to rejoining the Special Olympics program there.
KELLY: This year I thought the support was great. We did a new form of fundraising where clubs submitted teams and then donated to give their team an advantage. While this is similar to previous years, it put a new emphasis on fundraising as a team and not focusing on individuals.
Our biggest contributor was the Duke Armed Forces Association (DAFA), but almost every club showed support in some way. The faculty were also supportive, with a few professors returning to compete and help us raise money.
Students cheering on their classmates in the FSO Derby in 2025
Making a Lasting Impact
By promoting inclusivity, awareness, and engagement, events like the FSO Derby create a lasting influence on athletes and their families. This spirit of inclusion adds to Team Fuqua, reinforcing its commitment to diversity and support for all participants and fostering a sense of belonging that extends beyond the classroom.
As we prepare to cheer on athletes competing on the international stage, we’re reminded that there are champions right here at home as well. We hope others will consider getting involved — whether by volunteering, participating in an event, or simply learning more about Special Olympics North Carolina. Every effort helps create an environment where everyone can thrive, and we’re grateful to be part of a community that continues to make that possible.
The post Celebrating The Legacy of Fuqua Special Olympics appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.
More...
How does this impact your International MBA decision?
I'd be glad to learn your thoughts on this story : Celebrating The Legacy of Fuqua Special Olympics