Clarksville, Ark.-University of the Ozarks student-athletes recently volunteered at the 2013 Special Olympics Unified Softball Tournament held Saturday, October 12 in Clarksville.
Representatives from the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, as well as student-athletes from Ozarks’ various varsity sports, took to the community softball fields to help Special Olympians live out their dreams on the diamond.
In addition to helping prepare the field for play prior to the tournament’s start, the Eagles and Lady Eagles were each given the opportunity to be paired with a Special Olympian once the games got underway.
In the true spirit of the Special Olympics, it was not the games or competition that resulted in a winning feeling for the Eagles and Lady Eagles, but rather the feeling of seeing their Special Olympian friends also win big?both on and off the field.
“They always appreciate it a lot,” said junior basketball player Jessica Milloway of the Special
Olympians’ excitement in being buddied up with Ozarks’ student-athletes. “It’s just nice to be able to help out.”
After hosting a Special Olympics basketball tournament on campus last March and lending over 100 helping hands at the regional Special Olympics track meet in May, Ozarks’ student-athletes are excited to continue to assist with the program and the administrators of the Special Olympics programs are just as excited to have the help year in and year out from the student-athletes.
“Without U of O, it just wouldn’t be possible,” said Joy Wilson of Forrester-Davis.
By Emily Black, Sports Information Student Assistant
Video by Ryan West, Sports Information Student Assistant
Topics: Athletics