It's a win-win as Dix, Prospect help beat autism

Tying the school record of 9 goals in a single girls water polo game, with the winner in the second overtime, was quite an accomplishment for Prospect junior Meg Dix.

But Dix accomplished another significant goal that didn't show up in the stat sheet Monday after Prospect's win over Hersey.

Dix wanted to do something similar to "Volley For the Cure" where numerous area volleyball teams raised money for breast cancer research.

Dix found a way to combine a pair of causes close to her heart. She came up with the "Attacking Autism" game to draw attention to the neurological disorder and water polo.

"For it to actually work blew my mind away," Dix said. "It was awesome."

How awesome?

How about raising more than $400 for the "Best Buddies" autism foundation and playing before the biggest crowd Prospect coach Dick Mortensen can recall.

How about selling 75 T-shirts Dix designed but also needing to order 35 more because of the large demand.

How about all of Dix's teammates baking cookies, brownies and other goodies to sell during the game to help raise money.

"It's totally in her nature to put this together," said Prospect junior teammate Tori Shields, who grew up with and went to grade school at St. Raymond's with Dix. "She wanted to make this really special and Meg did the majority of the work. We helped with what we could, but she did so much for this."

Because Dix and her family have always tried to do what they could for their 24-year old cousin Michael Peter Dolan, who has autism and lives in San Diego. Dix said Dolan's dad Tom is a chairman of the "Best Buddies" foundation to help those with autism.

"My family is big into that and we were always at their banquets," Dix said. "It's always been a part of what we do.

"I thought it would be the best benefit and that was the main reason for me."

What also made it a great fit is this is National Autism Awareness Month. Mortensen also coached the Hersey girls swim team this winter.

And Hersey girls water polo coach Megan McIntyre is a Career Life Studies teacher who works with kids who have Down's syndrome and autism.

"The Hersey girls were great," Mortensen said of their support.

Dix started planning the event about six weeks in advance. It was more daunting than she envisioned.

"She was stressed about it all the time," Mortensen said.

Her teammates helped distribute flyers and with commercial announcements at the school to promote the event. It also wasn't easy because Prospect plays its home games at Wheeling.

Usually the Knights draw a small contingent of fans. But this was different.

"The bleachers were packed and it was insane," Dix said. "The screaming was echoing throughout the pool and it was awesome to be in the pool.

"For that many people to come out there screaming at the top of their lungs, it was a thrill."

It was fitting Dix wound up as the star of the show. One where the goals scored and money raised piled up beyond her wildest dreams.

"It was the best game ever," Dix said after the game raised more than $250 beyond what she expected.

And a repeat event is already in the works for next year.

"It was such an amazing feeling - everyone supporting not only our team but also a good cause," Shields said. "We've already begun talking about how we want to make it so much better for next year.

"This was a great way to get it started."

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com