In its prelude to athletic events, whether it was a collegiate or professional competition, ABC Sports years ago repeatedly began its coverage with the axiom that it was presenting to its viewers the very best sports had to offer.

Remember? I’m paraphrasing, but it went something like this: “Spanning the globe, to bring you the constant variety of sports, the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, the human drama of athletic competition …”

And, in prime time, ABC was in fact doing just that, putting live coverage in the homes of millions.

I thought about that when visiting the campus of Marian Catholic High School in Hometown last Saturday. No, it wasn’t for another interscholastic event. I’ve attended hundreds, probably thousands, of those.

This time, I thought, was better than anything you could’ve watched on TV, and better than other sporting events I could have attended, because it truly was the “thrill of victory” and the “human drama” that was prevalent in the minds of the boys and girls having a great time on the diamond of the school’s baseball field.

The youngsters, as part of the school’s Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC) program, capably headed by director of Campus Ministry Patrick Smith, had just a great time of camaraderie, friendship and fun in holding a kickball game on behalf of the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Northeast Region.

I know, “What’s so special about that?” you might ask. To me, it’s worth mentioning because it had nothing to do with winning and losing, statistics or championships, yet everything to do about “human drama” and helping others.

Originally, the plan was for the Marian chapter of CAC to participate in the Ultimate Kickball Tournament that Special Olympics had planned to hold at Kirby Park in Scranton. But when it was canceled, “our students decided to take it upon themselves to plan and run their own tournament at Marian to raise funds,” Smith told me.

Watching these “kids” having a great time was one thing, but, when we saw them present a $1,000 check to Tom Robinson, regional sport and Unified Champion Schools director for the Northeast Region of Special Olympics, I thought, “How neat is that?” Over 35 youths giving up their Saturday and doing good for those less fortunate, to me, is something special.

So, I asked Smith about CAC, an organization he described as “aimed at sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in and through sports.”

He quickly and proudly explained how about 75 Marian students are involved in the initiative.

“Our students have been involved in many service projects, including Special Olympics events (serving as coaches, volunteers and fundraising); CYO outreach (praying with student-athletes and coaching); and volunteering with Catholic Charities Community Café food truck,” Robinson said. “Our CAC members also participate in small-group Bible studies, team Masses and prayer experiences, and pregame and postgame prayer circles.”

I don’t know about you, but aren’t those “little things” of huge significance when it comes to our younger generation? I thought, “ABC would be proud.” I know I am.