SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – A 26-year-old autistic man in Sioux City had the opportunity of a lifetime, designing a baseball glove with Wilson Sporting Goods. It’s part of Wilson’s ‘Love the Moment’ campaign with Autism Speaks.
Noah Cobbs is autistic, but that hasn’t stopped his love for baseball or his participation in the Miracle League of Sioux City.
The 26-year-old tried baseball when he was younger, but it didn’t work out at first due to not adapting to his personal needs.
“We tried baseball when he was younger, and it was just too long, and he didn’t seem interested, but now he looks forward to it. We put it on the calendar, and he comes out here, and he’s able to do it with a person, can be safe on the field, and we can be a little bit further distance so he can feel even more independent because of the way the fields are set up over here at Miracle League,” said Josh Cobbs, Noah’s father.
Josh Cobbs is the director of employment initiatives with Autism Speaks. His role is to help employers nationally become more welcoming and inclusive for hiring autistic individuals into their employment space. He said, “When people with autism want to have a place to be employed, they can.”
When Wilson Sporting Goods was looking for its next collaborator, Autism Speaks recommended Noah.
“I said, maybe,” said Josh Cobbs. “Let’s see and see how we can engage him because he has high support needs, so it’ll look different. I was so thankful that they were willing to give it a go and see how that might look.”
Noah’s Edition
Noah’s Edition is the first glove designed by a member of the autism community with high support needs, and starting April 15, it will be available throughout the country. The glove represents everything that makes Noah who he is, including his favorite color, green.
With little verbal communication, Cobbs designed the glove differently.
“We printed out the sheets and then we had him just start marking like colors and patterns that he liked. And as we continue to go through, we assembled different things as a family and then sent them over to Wilson for a review,” Josh Cobbs described.
The glove represents not only Noah but also all individuals who want to play the game.
“Sports is for everyone, and getting him to be included in the designing of a glove that anybody can go out and purchase at retailers was super good,” Josh Cobbs said.
Liz Stevens, executive director with Miracle League of Sioux City, said the collaboration shows the importance of inclusion.
“I think it’s really important to show Noah and these players that have gotten so involved over the last couple of years with Miracle League and educate the community on how important inclusion is and how important it is to get kids out here,” Stevens said.
Ryan Smith, Senior Glove Developer, Wilson Baseball/Softball, said, “This wasn’t about forcing a process. It was about adapting the process so Noah could participate. Our job was translating his choices into something real.”
The partnership provides the platform, but Noah’s story provides the heart. Michael Markovich, Sr. Global Commercial Director, Wilson Sporting Goods, said, “Noah made something that was truly his own, and that’s exactly what Love the Moment represents. Inclusion isn’t about saying the right things – it’s about doing them.”
Josh Cobbs added, “It’s important to recognize all autistics, adults and their families and children with autism. We are really happy to highlight somebody with Noah’s support needs during that month, and if people want to find out more about how Autism Speaks might be able to help, they can go learn more at Autism Speaks.”
Ten percent of the purchase price of all the Love the Moment products is donated back to Autism Speaks.
“We hope that others go out there and find it and find some inspiration. Everybody can contribute in different ways,” Cobbs said.
Wilson’s Love the Moment partnership with Autism Speaks is in its 7th year now, evolving from a single product into a broader commitment to inclusion, employment, and community impact, and has grown into a collection.