With Plenty of Camaraderie, Team Spirit, and Hard-Fought Matches, The Throwdown Fundraising Event Brought the Cottonwood Community Together for a Day of Friendly Competition
Written by Lahja Wise, Throwdown “Bracket Master” and Changemaker Alum. It was a beautifully cool morning with an ominous forecast of near 100 degrees when the contestants arrived at McGregor Square in the heart of Denver. I had the pleasure of volunteering at my second annual Throwdown Cornhole Tournament this year, and it was wonderful watching the community come together again and seeing the camaraderie that resulted. I am a proud alumni of the Changemakers program, and as of this year, the recently appointed “Bracket Master” of the Throwdown. The event kicked off with the infectious excitement of players and volunteers alike. At a glance, you could tell that team spirit was high, from the classic Hawaiian getup of the Trader Joe’s team, to the silly, custom-made shirts worn by the Two Old Bags.
The square buzzed with energy as players made their way through the first round, taking the time between matches to socialize and form new connections with the people around them. The sun continued to creep higher into the sky, signaling it was time to take a break and replenish. Courtesy of Anthony’s Pizza and Molson Coors, players were treated to delicious food and drink as the excitement built for the semifinals.
The second stage of the tournament brought on a spirited, hard-fought battle between our fiercest competitors. The two teams who made it to the finals, Two Old Bags and Dad Bod No Prob, had a masterful display of skill and friendly competition, with Dad Bod No Prob taking home first place.
The players had an impressive showing, both on and off the courts, but none of this would be possible without our amazing partners and volunteers. A massively deserved shoutout to Sara, the CI Events Coordinator, who coordinated the entire event, and the zero waste crew (Scraps) for keeping things clean. A very special thank you to our sponsors, who are helping us achieve the goal of getting kids outside and active, and finally, thanks to the returning live DJ for keeping vibes and positivity high throughout the day. Together, we raised over $22,000 to support Aurora-area programming, including programs at AXL Academy!
If you missed The Throwdown and still want to support the camaraderie of Cottonwood programs, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor! You’ll help invest in our students, programs, and long-term sustainability and success!
A special thanks to our donors and sponsors who helped make this event possible. Please support the following businesses that support the local community and Cottonwood Institute!
