Athletics Show Talent Off the Field

The Golden Soldiers, a non-profit organization based out of Kennesaw, held their 2nd Annual Golden Soldiers Athlete Talent Show on March 25, with all proceeds going to the local charity.

A faith-based organization, the Golden Soldiers promotes the Golden Rule, and implements this rule into their interactions and dealings with the community. The Golden Soldiers provide activities and support to individuals with developmental disabilities.

They also provide financial planning workshops, sensory friendly movies, special needs sports teams and other activities for these people and their families.

The talent show featured 16 acts, including KSU varsity sports teams, and KSU’s cheer and dance teams. Talents included singing, dancing, comedic skits, stomping and even a magic show.

It was hosted by Golden Soldiers founder/CEO and KSU Health and Human Services Alumna Lindsey Turner, and KSU Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams, who recently became a member of the Golden Soldiers.

“The show was definitely a success,” said Karen Pfeifer, Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Welfare at KSU.

Opening the show was a dance trio performing to Nicki Minaj and Cassie’s “The Boys.” The ladies’ softball team performed a swing dance to Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away,” and the men’s baseball team sang Neil Diamond’s classic “Sweet Caroline.”

Providing a bit of comic relief, the men’s basketball team performed a dunk contest spoof, along with the volleyball team performing a comedic skit about the daily life of a student-athlete. The cheer team performed a dance and magic routine to “I Got the Magic in Me,” by rapper B.o.B.

The women’s basketball team danced to a medley of Beyonce songs. Closing out the show, the women’s golf team performed a line dance to Big and Rich’s “Fake ID.”

Last year, the Golden Soldiers raised $1100 at their very first talent show at KSU. They almost tripled that amount this year, raising $3000 for their organization, raising the money through ticket sales, paracord bracelet and keychain sales, lollipop sales and donations throughout the night.

“The ultimate goal of the Golden Soldiers is to provide a localized medical center where they can receive medical care, rehabilitation and participate in their sporting activities all at one facility,” Pfeifer said.

For the past two years, select KSU athletes have been helping the Golden Soldiers special needs baseball league, and the KSU dance team intends on volunteering their time for the Golden Soldiers carnival for children that will be held in June. More information about this organization and the ways in which you can volunteer can be found at thegoldensoldiers.org.