1Team1Goal was officially started 7 years ago when Traci Semptimphelter and Karen Dudas partnered with Brentwood Blaze Football to put on "Athletes for Autism Day" at Crockett Park.  The thought was that all children needed to be a part of a "team", and that someone should have a "goal" to provide these opportunities.

Unofficially, the idea for 1Team1Goal started 35 years ago, when Traci became involved in her Waterloo, Iowa's high school program, Gateway, that mentored special needs children and adults.  She became very close with Doug Sturch, who was born with Down Syndrome.

After college and while working for a wheelchair and medical supply company, Traci lived with and cared for a quadriplegic woman.  When she was 25 years old, she was a licensed respite foster parent for two girls.  Traci then moved to Nashville where she was a professional cheerleader for 3 years, did some modeling and acting for 4 years, and then coached cheer and dance for more than 6 years.

She is now married to Scott, who was a professional football player for 8 years, and has coached for more than 20 years.  They have 3 children, Nick, Graci, and Cross.  They adopted Cross from Guatemala at 6 months old, and when he was 2 he was diagnosed with autism. Because of autism, they now all have extensive training in behavior therapy, especially Graci; she was trained to be Cross' peer role model.  Graci is now in 10th grade and has been a 1Team1Goal peer role model for Lily  for 7 years (see 1st picture on our home screen to see Graci and Lily).  Graci has helped grow 1Team1Goal with Traci by recruiting special needs people (sometimes walking up to special needs people in restaurants and explaining 1T1G's program), as well as training typical children and adults how to be peer role models.  The life lessons that 1Team1Goal's volunteers get is just as important as how 1Team1Goal impacts those that have special needs.

Traci, Graci, Scott, Nick and Cross live  just south of Nashville, TN, and visit Iowa every year to see Traci's family, friends, and special friend, Doug Sturch.

Traci understands the importance of a team and working toward a goal.  She is an advocate for children with special needs, consults many parents of special needs children, and along with Graci, they have dedicated themselves to grow the 1Team1Goal program to help as many children as they can.

Through Traci and Graci's compassion, leadership, and guidance, 1Team1Goal is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children with special needs, financial needs, social needs, and psychological needs. 

To provide a positive experience for athletes with special needs to be a part of a team, whether that be football, cheer, or dance.  We strive to promote mental, physical, and spiritual development through team building with 1:1 typical peer role models.  Our #1 goal is to build friendships through team work. 

Go to our Video Page to see our latest Ravenwood, BGA, Ensworth, and Brentwood High Schools' Football and Cheer Videos