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SPECIAL OLYMPIANS ENLIGHTEN STUDENTS
10-16-06
Most SportsCenter students have at one point competed at a high level of play in a given sport. We often take for granted the excitement we get out of participation in sport. On Saturday, September 30th, and Sunday, Oct. 1st, VCU students had the opportunity to create and share in this excitement, through working with Special Olympic athletics.
On Saturday, SportsCenter students hosted a clinic for both the Section 6 Special Olympics volleyball and soccer athletes at Providence Middle School in Chesterfield County. The clinics prepared the Special Olympians for their competitions held that day. SportsCenter students conducted warm-ups with the athletes in preparation for the volleyball competition, which began at 9:00 a.m. They instructed the athletes in warm-ups on different volleyball skills and techniques. The students then served as officials, scorekeepers and timekeepers during the actual competition.
The soccer clinic then followed at noon, after which the Special Olympics soccer competitions commenced at 2 p.m. Participants included over 60 athletes of varying ages from Henrico, Goochland and Chesterfield counties. The clinic began with three stations which enhanced the players’ dribbling, passing, and shooting skills. The clinic culminated with an intra-squad scrimmage featuring the VCU women’s soccer team. All Special Olympics athletes received a certificate of participation, VCU t-shirt, VCU mini soccer ball, and tickets to upcoming men’s and women’s soccer games. The VCU women’s soccer team was in attendance to provide guidance and encouragement as well. Maggie Disney, of the Special Olympics of Virginia, was elated, “The clinic went great. The athletes got so much out of it. It was just great.”
On Sunday, students were in attendance at the Section 6 Special Olympics Bowling tournament. Over 160 Special Olympics athletes participated, so all 15 SportsCenter students in attendance were needed! Along with helping the day run smoothly, the students organized an autograph session of VCU student-athletes. They autographed mini bowling pins for the Special Olympians and gave them each a ticket a VCU Men’s Basketball game this upcoming season.
In addition, SportsCenter students are preparing clinics for the Special Olympics golf tournament on Oct. 29th and another bowling tournament on Oct. 15th. The knowledge the student volunteers gained will be invaluable in their approach to human relations in their sports oriented careers. Witnessing first hand the adversity the Special Olympics athletes have to overcome will encourage the VCU students to take a more open approach to their respective careers. This experience enlightened the students, by making them more aware and appreciative of the strengths every individual possesses.
For more information about Special Olympics of Virginia, please contact Maggie Disney at (804) 564-6032.
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