CANFIELD, Ohio - For the 4th time, Canfield Local Schools hosted Champions Day. It's an event that brings together students with special abililites for a day of excitement, inclusion and fun.

"We have about 140 students with special abilities from around the county here along with teachers or aides and they are getting a gameday experience like no other, different stations around the stadium here today," Joe Knoll, the Canfield Superintendent said.

It's an event Canfield Superintendent Joe Knoll is passionate about, having a child himself with special abilities.

To give kids that maybe don't have the opportunities that other kids do," Knoll said. "To run through the tunnel, get to hear the band play, get cheered on by our student body and be able to participate in some activities with kids with their typical peers so it's a great day today."

Different stations around the football field included soccer, golf, volleyball, tennis and football.

"They're having a great time, they're socializing with their peers, meeting new people, great opportunity for them to get out and experience things in the world," Casey Elekes, a teacher at Potential Development said.

For the students from all over Mahoning County, the Rich Center for Autism and Potential Development, it's a rare opportunity to engage in sporting events they might not typically have access to.

"This is a great program for all of our kids, it makes me very excited and appreciative they are putting this on for our kids and getting them experience, getting out and meeting new people," Elekes said.

The stations were manned by Canfield students.

"It's a great thing seeing all their faces light up, it's just awesome," Canfield Senior Santino Cocca said.

Superintendent Knoll said he's not sure who benefits more.

I think everyone walks away with a little something today, for me, it's watching kids faces light up, seeing the smiles, seeing the joy of being out here today so to me that is kind of what this day is all about," Knoll said.

A shining example of how communities can come together to create a day of joy and inclusion.

"All schools should have something like this in every area because if you look around all the kids are having a great time," Elekes said.

On top of the fun, the students also received a champions medal, free t-shirt and lunch.