RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Fifteen-year-old Luke Girardi is living out a dream as a devoted Wolfpack fan.
His passion for NC State began at birth, inspired by his parents.
“Since they were in diapers, we brought them to the games,” said Rob Girardi, Luke’s father and a proud university alumnus. “They got used to the noise and crowd. They started loving the Pack just like us.”
Luke, who has Down syndrome and alopecia, communicates primarily through gestures and short words, but his love for sports is unmistakable.
When the Charlotte-based nonprofit Dream on 3 learned of his story, they gave him a weekend to remember.
“Luke came to us from Gigi’s Playhouse in Raleigh. Luke is a wonderful human being. He has a smile that stays with you that you won’t forget,” said Manie Condie with Dream on 3.
This weekend, Luke will attend both the men’s and women’s basketball games. On Friday, his smile lit up the arena as he met the men’s basketball team and watched them practice.
“One, two, three…go Pack,” Luke cheered, proving that dreams truly can come true.
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