Fishers High School student Gabe Nolting had a “Dream Weekend” Jan. 9 and 10, as the Indiana University fan got to see the Hoosiers men’s basketball team play, then attended a Pacers game. (Richie Hall)
By RICHIE HALL
FISHERS – Students were lined up in the hallways of Fishers High School the morning of Friday, Jan. 9 to give one of their fellow Tigers a sendoff to a memorable weekend.
Gabriel Nolting was in a classroom when he learned that he would be going to Bloomington and spending the day with the Indiana Hoosiers men’s basketball team, which happened to be his favorite team.
Dream on 3 coordinated the event and the Tigers gave Gabe a sendoff before he traveled to IU by limousine. (Richie Hall)
Upon hearing the news, Gabe sprinted down the hallways while being cheered on by his classmates, teachers, administrators. The Fishers boys basketball team and members of the band were there to congratulate Gabe as well. You can view video of the sendoff here.
“He did not know about this at all,” Amanda Nolting, Gabe’s mother, told The Reporter just before they were whisked to IU in a waiting limousine. “I kept this a secret from him.”
“He is just going to be in shock for the next few days,” said Amanda Nolting.
The event was coordinated by Dream on 3, an organization that helps children and young adults from ages 5 to 21 that are living with “life-altering conditions including those with mental health challenges and intellectual disabilities,” according to the Dream on 3 website.
Gabe has childhood apraxia of speech, a motor speech disorder. The Cleveland Clinic describes CAS like this: “Your child knows what they want to say. But a disruption in the nerve pathways between their brain and mouth muscles makes it hard for them to form the words.”
Dream on 3 worked with IU Athletics and Indiana’s Collegiate Dream Team, a group of student leaders committed to inclusion, belonging and community impact on campus.
Gabe’s first stop on the tour was a behind-the-scenes tour of Assembly Hall, where he also got participate in a shootaround, talk with IU’s coach, Darian DeVries, take a group photo with the Hoosiers and receive an autographed basketball. Gabe also went on a $500 shopping spree at Alumni Hall as well.
The next day (Saturday, Jan. 10) was filled with basketball for Gabe. He watched the Hoosiers take on Nebraska, after which he and his family traveled to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to watch the Indiana Pacers beat the Miami Heat 123-99. In addition to getting to see the Pacers win, Gabe got to meet Boomer, the team mascot, and the Pacers cheerleaders.
Gabe’s weekend is documented on the Dream on 3 website, which summarized the weekend as, “Two days filled with generosity, joy, connection, and unforgettable moments – a truly perfect Dream Weekend for Gabe and his family.”
