Special Olympians shine
Hugs and smiles. That is what a Special Olympics basketball game is all about.
Men and women from the USU squads took on the Utah State Special Olympics team Tuesday on the Taggart Student Center plaza. The Special Olympics team was comprised of male and female players from 10 to 20 years old.
USU mascot Big Blue was also on hand to cheer on the Special Olympians and took a few shots with the team during half time.
The Special Olympians were divided into two teams with players from varsity squads on each side.
Merlin Broadbent and Darrin Payne often brought the ball up the court for the Special Olympians, calling plays and hollering out to their teammates to take a shot.
The Olympians used a hustle, spread-the ball-around, team style of play to entertain the encouraging crowd.
The varsity players demonstrated some of their ball handling and shooting skills, but showed more interest in having fun with the Special Olympians rather than winning.
“I love playing against the Aggies,” said Special Olympian Andrew Leatham. “This is so much fun.”
Leatham scored five points.
Although there was an official score table, few people paid attention to it because everyone was a winner. When the game was over, it was hugs and high fives for everyone involved.
Utah State basketball player Mike Ahmad excited the crowd and the Special Olympians with a couple of slam dunks and encouraged the Special Olympians throughout the game.
“This is my third year playing with these kids,” Ahmad said. “I really enjoy playing ball with them. It’s a lot of fun.”
Ahmad used his body to screen off the defense a couple of times so Special Olympian Trisha Lee could get off a clear shot.
“Mike is a great guy,” Lee said. “I really like playing basketball with him.”
Heather Hansen, a junior transfer from Salt Lake Community College who will play for the USU team this year said she had fun playing with the kids and enjoyed watching them make up nicknames for themselves.
Hansen volunteered with the Special Olympics when she was younger.
“The kids really look forward to this game,” said assistant Special Olympics coach Jessica Munk. “It makes them feel like they can play with the Aggie athletes and it builds team unity.”
The annual game builds confidence for the players, as well as prepares them for upcoming competitions, Munk said.
Cameron Woolf, the USU Service Center vice president, said the game is to raise awareness of the service center and recruit volunteers to support the 16 organizations within the center. Anyone interested in finding out more information can visit http://servicecenter.usu.edu.
-eds@cc.usu.edu
UTAH STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYERS Virginia Jennings and Brittany Hagen talk strategy with Tim Wright of the Special Olympics team. The annual game took place Tuesday on the Taggart Student Center plaza. (Photo by John Zsiray)