CANFIELD, Ohio - It was a special day at Canfield High School Thursday where dozens of kids with special abilities were celebrated.

Champion Day was the vision of Canfield Superintendent Joe Knoll.

"I have a son with special abilities, most folks know that in Canfield, so I'm really passionate about this," Knoll said. "Kids today will experience something, running through the band, going through the tunnel, that they have never been able to do so that is our goal is to give them what I call that Friday night game experience."

The students came from districts all over Mahoning County and got a chance to participate in football drills, kick a soccer ball, practice volleyball, work on tennis, putt-putt golf and run some track.

"It is so important if you see the smiles," said David Spalding, Special Services Director for Canfield Schools. "I talked to a kid on the twenty yard line, he said we're gonna do football, we're gonna do football, I said yes, you're gonna do football, so they are just totally jazzed about being here on the field."

"When I stood there and told everybody we were gonna announce their name and have them run through the tunnel, everybody just lights up, I mean it's amazing," Knoll said. "To me that is what it's all about and just having that opportunity to have the band playing and run through the tunnel and have people cheer for you, I mean it's been a great day."

Working right alongside those students with special abilities were Canfield students, including Senior football player Nicholas Bowen.

"I'm having fun with these kids, they're making my day today," Bowen said. "One kid laid him out, hit the pad real hard, its all fun, its all fun."

Medals were handed out to close the day which many of these kids and parents will never forget.

"I feel like this is the coolest thing our kids have ever been able to be a part of so, super excited about it," said Morgan Kinser, a parent from Sebring.

"The best thing about the day is just seeing the smiles on the kid's faces and for me, it's good for me too," Knoll said. "Superintendent job is kind of hard right now, so having a day like this, this reminds me of why you got into education for a day like this."

Knoll says they hope to continue Champion Day for many years to come and maybe even move it to different locations throughout the years.