Lights, Crowd, Competition: Able Games Shine at Davies

FARGO (KVRR) – Competition took center stage at Fargo Davies High School—but this time, it came with a powerful message: sports are for everyone.

In a first for the school, Davies hosted the Able Games, creating an inclusive environment where students of all abilities could experience the thrill of competition. The event, held in partnership with TNT Kids Fitness, marked a new opportunity for the Fargo school community.

From the moment participants entered, the atmosphere mirrored that of a traditional high school sporting event. With a pep band playing, classmates cheering, and athletes receiving full introductions, the energy inside the gym was electric.

“We wanted to create an atmosphere just like it was a high school football game, a high school basketball game, with the pep band, the cheering—and those kids deserve that type of atmosphere,” said Davies principal Sean Safranski. “So super excited for what we could put off here today, thanks to the efforts of a lot of hardworking people.”

The event delivered. Students packed the bleachers, rallying behind participants as they competed in events designed to test strength, agility and speed. For many athletes, it was a rare opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of their peers.

Helping bring that opportunity to life was NFL lineman Connor McGovern, a Fargo native, Shanley High School graduate and co-founder of Able Games. McGovern emphasized that the mission goes beyond competition—it’s about inclusion.

“A lot of times those athletes with disabilities are kind of on the side,” McGovern said. “They’re in their special classes and their special rooms. They don’t get to interact the same way with the student body as everybody else. They all get to showcase their talents in front of a lot of people.”

For McGovern, the event is also deeply personal. He credits the Fargo community for shaping his journey and sees Able Games as a way to give back.

“We want to be able to bring the amenities and help as many people as we can,” he said. “As the population grows, it gets more diverse, and we need to support people with different abilities in any way possible. It’s just going to keep growing as Fargo grows.”

Founded in 2019, Able Games has already expanded to multiple schools across North Dakota. Now, Davies is hoping to make the event a lasting tradition.

“We’ve got a lot of ideas for next year and how to build upon this,” Safranski said. “Hopefully to make it bigger and better—and something that continues forever.”

With growing participation and strong community support, the Able Games are quickly becoming more than just an event—they’re a movement, ensuring every student has a chance to compete, be celebrated and feel the roar of the crowd.

For more information on Able Games and TNT Fitness please click HERE