Special game produces smiles for everyone
By Landon Olson
Senior Writer
The game was informal and although there was a victor with a score of 56-49, the game ended with smiles all around.
Members of the Utah State University men’s basketball team and USU Special Olympics team combined Tuesday for a scrimmage on the Taggart Student Center Patio as part of the Week of Welcome.
This was the fifth year of the annual game.
The two teams were split and the ensuing game was a flurry of offense, highlighted with dunks and fast-break baskets.
Players for both teams laughed and smiled throughout the game, passing the ball around and creating shots for the Special Olympians.
“It’s always a great opportunity to play,” Aggie center Mike Puzey said. “It’s fun to see [the Special Olympians] and the excitement they have. It’s always fun to be able to help.”
Special Olympian Darin Payne, in his sixth year with the team, said he enjoyed playing with the Utah State athletes.
“I had so much fun playing,” he said. “I like to play with the team.”
Payne also participates in soccer, snowboarding, swimming and power lifting, but said he enjoys basketball the most.
His enjoyment was obvious by the smile on his face as the game was winding down and he was able to drive to a lowered basked for a slam dunk.
Payne wasn’t the only one to dunk though.
On the next play, Special Olympian Richard Morgan was lifted to the basket by Puzey and Aggie center Mike Ahmad for a dunk of his own.
At the end of the game the players all gathered at center court for high fives and a group picture.
“It was real fun to come out here and play with these guys,” Aggie forward Toraino Johnson said. “I was having a lot of fun, laughing, putting up shots. It just made me feel good.”
The game was organized through a joint effort between ASUSU Athletics Vice President Shelly Swasey and Head of Delegation for USU Special Olympics Kevin Nelson.
The Special Olympics team was made of athletes from Cache Valley, many of whom have been a part of the team for several years. Volunteers, including USU students and community members, helped to organize the team, which is one of the largest in the state, Nelson said.
With the cooperation of USU assistant basketball coach Randy Rahe, Swasey said she was able to organize the group.
“I just made a call and explained to coach Rahe what it was we needed and he was more than willing to help,” Swasey said.
Nelson said the game is a good chance to build some exposure for the Special Olympics team, which is part of the Val R. Christensen Service Center.
“We want to get student involved,” Nelson said. “This is a big opportunity for us to recruit.”
He said those interested in volunteering with the Special Olympics team can sign up in the Val R. Christensen Service Center.
Playing during the Week of Welcome gives students a chance to see the USU players and increase exposure for the team, Swasey said.
Aggie forward Chad Evans said, “[Students] can see that we have fun and that we’re more normal students like everyone else.”
Forward Toraino Johnson said, “We’re all normal people. Even though we play for the team anyone can just come up and talk to us. We’re all real good guys.”
After the game the players from both teams stayed talking with students and each other.
For Special Olympian Kenneth Haines, he said he enjoyed the chance to meet some of the USU players.
“It was awesome meeting people and the players,” he said. “It was cool.”
Swasey said she hopes the game will occur in the future.
“I think it’s a tradition that needs to continue to happen on an annual basis because it’s something people look forward to,” she said. “It gets them hyped up for basketball season.”
-SLBK5@cc.usu.edu