PearlAnn Legacy Classic
The PearlAnn Legacy Classic is our signature adaptive sports event that celebrates ability, courage, and community while raising funds for the PearlAnn Legacy Scholarship.
The Story Behind the Classic
The PearlAnn Legacy Classic was inspired by a pivotal moment in 1978, when Ann Bennett organized a wheelchair basketball game that forever reshaped our understanding of inclusion, athletic community, and the power of adaptability. This event also honors Pearl’s fierce love for sports and competition — a passion he passed down to his children. We believe every athlete, regardless of ability, deserves the chance to feel the joy and belonging that sports create.
In proud partnership with the Cincinnati Dragons, we continue the work Ann began by bringing adaptive sports to our community. Together, we’re bridging the gap between passion and play, creating opportunities for athletes of all abilities to compete, connect, and thrive.
Purpose of the Classic
The PearlAnn Legacy Classic was created to carry forward a legacy built on courage, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves a place to belong. Inspired by Ann Bennett’s groundbreaking 1978 wheelchair basketball game and Pearl’s unwavering love of sports, the Classic invites our community into an experience with the power to move participants, inspire spectators, and strengthen the community as a whole.
Participation is open to all. Adaptive athletes and able‑bodied participants will play together in wheelchairs, experiencing the game from the same vantage point and discovering a powerful sense of unity, empathy, and joy.
The Classic is designed to spark something bigger than a single event — a moment where participants, spectators, and the entire community witness what inclusion looks like in motion and feel its impact long after the final buzzer.
Impact of the Classic
The PearlAnn Legacy Classic is designed to create a meaningful, lasting impact — on the court and far beyond it. Through this event, we aim to:
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Provide funding for the PearlAnn Legacy Scholarship
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Raise awareness about disability inclusion and the power of shared experience
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Create a space where adaptive athletes and able‑bodied participants play together, building empathy, understanding, and connection
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Inspire spectators as they witness inclusion in motion and see ability expressed in new and powerful ways
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Strengthen the community by bringing people together around a shared vision of belonging, dignity, and joy
The impact of the Classic will ripple outward — shaping perspectives, deepening relationships, and reminding our community what becomes possible when everyone has a place on the team.
The Classic is more than a game — it’s a living expression of faith, hope, and love in action.
The Classic Experience
The PearlAnn Legacy Classic is more than a game — it’s a celebration of courage, community, and the joy of adaptive sports. It's a moment you can feel the second you walk in — the sound of cheering, the energy on the court, the joy of seeing athletes of all abilities playing side‑by‑side — it all comes together to create an atmosphere of unity and belonging. Whether you’re cheering from the stands, volunteering, or playing in the game, the Classic will uplift and inspire you.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
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A dynamic, inclusive game featuring adaptive athletes, students (past and present), school faculty and administrators, family members, friends, and community partners — all playing side‑by‑side
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A welcoming, family‑friendly environment where everyone is invited to show up, cheer loudly, and be part of something meaningful
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Moments of connection as schools, organizations, and families come together to support adaptive sports and celebrate shared purpose
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Opportunities to meet the athletes and learn more about the impact of adaptive sports in our community
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A mission‑centered atmosphere rooted in faith, hope, and love — the values Pearl and Ann lived and passed down
Be Part of the Legacy
The PearlAnn Legacy Classic is more than an annual event — it’s a living expression of faith, hope, love, and community. Every person who attends, volunteers, sponsors, or supports the event becomes part of the legacy that Pearl and Ann began and that continues to shape lives today.
Your presence matters.
Your support matters.
And together, we can continue creating opportunities for children and families in our community
Volunteer at the Classic
Lend your time, your heart, and your presence. Volunteers help create a welcoming, inclusive environment for athletes, families, and guests.
Become a Sponsor
Support the Classic through sponsorship and help expand the reach and impact of the PearlAnn Legacy Scholarship.