13th Annual Really Big Game Brings the Highland Friendship Club and CDH Communities Together

Greta Cunningham ‘23, Communications Intern
August 14, 2025

The Highland Friendship Club's 13th annual Really Big Game took place on August 7. This was the third time Cretin-Derham Hall hosted this event and about 60 HFC members participated. HFC is an organization for teens and adults with disabilities to make friends, learn new skills, and connect with their community. 

Each year, the Really Big Game, an adaptive baseball game, gives them the opportunity to play and compete together. Members of the CDH softball and baseball teams play alongside HFC players during their practice beforehand and during the game. 

“The HFC members love seeing the CDH student-athletes join them,” said Tony Leseman ’01, one of the event’s organizers and the son of one of HFC’s co-founders. “This partnership allows the members to lean on the student-athletes for guidance, confidence, and finding a sense of fun playing the game.”

Four teams of 15 played against each other, round robin style, coached by Leseman and Joe Mauer ’01. Friends and family came to watch and cheer. About 300 people attended, making it the biggest year yet.

“This event is special because it provides both the CDH and HFC communities an opportunity to be reminded how blended this relationship is,” Leseman said. “They are truly one community in itself. Both communities mutually benefit from each other in many ways and it's a special bond that was established over 25 years ago. I believe I speak for both communities when I say that we all look forward to strengthening the relationship we currently have along with finding new opportunities to share our story to the greater communities we all live, work, and play in.”