'Humanity rocks': Special Olympics Indiana gets over $30K after ISU's venue change to TCU

After Indiana State University announced it could not host an NCAA Super Regional baseball game against Texas Christian this weekend, fans of the Sycamores' opponent stepped up in an unexpected way.

ISU advanced out of its regional with a 3-0 record for the first time since 1986. The Sycamores were set to host TCU since they are the higher seed, but the university said they will not meet the NCAA lodging requirements to host the Super Regional, among other factors. Part of that reason is due to Terre Haute hosting the Special Olympics during that time.

“There are a variety of factors that come into play with the competition for resources and staff,” Indiana State Athletics said in a statement posted to Twitter. “With the potential for multiple large-scale events occurring in the area simultaneously and due to NCAA limitations on hotel distance from the field, there is a lack of hotel space to handle the accommodations required to house the visiting team, the support staff for the games, and the ESPN crew that would be in attendance.”

Indiana State will now play TCU in Fort Worth, Texas from June 9-11.

On Monday, the TCU sports talk show Lupton Drinking Club encouraged Horned Frog fans to donate to Special Olympics Indiana.

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Donations have poured in since Lupton Drinking Club sent out the tweet. And not just TCU fans have donated.

"Great idea! Donated in honor of my son Caedon who competed in NC Special Olympics Summer Games last weekend. I’m a Sycamore alum & will be rooting for @IndStBaseball, but thanks for such a great idea for a great cause! #FrogsForSycs," Brian Baute tweeted.

Luption Drinking Club said it was touched by all of the donations to Indiana Special Olympics.

"We are touched to the core, with your generosity to @SOIndiana in honor of @IndStBaseball. We’re just a group of friends who love @TCU_Baseball. But we’ll sleep well tonight because humanity rocks."

In a statement on Tuesday, Special Olympics Indiana wished Indiana State well in the Super Regional and said it had received an outpouring of support from fans across the country.

"The donations we have received, which so far top $23,000, will allow us to continue providing sports competition and leadership opportunities for more than 16,000 people with intellectual disabilities in our state as well as to create a more inclusive Indiana for all. We welcome everyone to come cheer on our athletes as they participate in our 2023 Summer Games this weekend."

On Wednesday, Jeremiah Donati, the TCU athletic director, said the school is grateful to host the Super Regional but he recognizes the difficult circumstances in Terre Haute.

"We will do our part as well and donate $1 per concessions transactions all weekend to Indiana Special Olympics," tweeted Donati.

Special Olympics Indiana also announced on Wednesday they had received more than $30,000 in donations.

"The power of sport brings people together! We're sincerely grateful for the outpouring of support," Special Olympics Indiana tweeted. "These donations will allow us to provide sports & leadership opportunities for 16,000+ Hoosiers with intellectual disabilities as well as to create a more inclusive Indiana for all."

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana State: TCU fans support Special Olympics after venue switch