Rost School gym named for athlete, friend

The gym at Margaret Rost School was rededicated in honor of Mike Fairbanks, an employee, athlete, and friend who recently died.

NEW TONIGHT -- THE GYM ATMARGARET ROST SCHOOL INBRIDGETOWN HAS A NEW NAME.ITIS AN HONOR FOR A MAN WHO MADETHAT GYM HIS HOME COURT -LEADING SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAMSTO CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR DECADES,NATS 080137 Who can say ifI've been changed for thebetter...THIS CROWD INBRIDGETOWN IS PROOF -- MIKEFAIRBANKS CHANGED MANY LIVESFOR GOOD.LekitaBalderos/Hamilton CountyDevelopmental DisabilitesServices 081237 He became mybig brother, he's like familyto me,LEKITA BALDEROS WAS ACOWORKER HERE AT MARGARET ROSTSCHOOL - WHERE HE WAS ACUSTODIAN.IT'S WHERE FAIRBANKSFIRST GOT INVOLVED WITHSPECIAL OLYMPICS IN 19-85.Balderos 081505 He had apassion for basketball andsports all around HE'D WINSTATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, GO TO THEINTERNATIONAL GAMES, AND MORE.HIS FRIENDS TELL US HE USED TOJOKE THAT BOWLING WASN'T ASPORT - AND THEN HELPED STARTTHE SPECIAL OLYMPICS BOWLINGTEAM.Balderos 081343 He wasjust a funny, go out typeof guy and he didn't know astrangerFAIRBANKS DIEDRECENTLY - YOUNG - AGE 55.SATURDAY - ROST SCHOOLUNVEILED THIS - THE MIKEFAIRBANKS GYM.HE BEAMS FROMTHE WALLS INSIDE TOO.Balderos081325 It feels good to knowthat his legacy will live on.BUT TO BALDEROS - HE'S MOREBalderos 081414 My daughtermoved into a complex near himand he said 'I'm going to bewatching over her, my littleangel.'

Now he's the angel.HEDIED THE WEEK SHE WAS MOVING.BUT THESE TRIBUTES ENSURE THATANGEL KEEPS HIS WINGS.FAIRBANKS WON THE ETHEL LUKENAWARD AT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICSEVENING OF CHAMPIONS TWO YEARSAGO.DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIESSERVICES PUT ON TODAY'S