By Annie Riley
Assistant News Editor
St. Bonaventure will co-host unified basketball games and clinics with Special Olympics New York on April 19 and 20.
The men’s and women’s basketball teams will participate in a clinic for the Special Olympics teams in the Western New York area.
The event on Sat., April 20, will involve St. Bonaventure students working with special-needs athletes and grade-school students in the unified games.
Paula Scraba, associate professor of physical education, said the course Physical Education 399F: Leadership Through Special Olympics, will require students to participate in student-empowered leadership by being the event managers of all activities at the event.
“This is a way for our students to share their gifts and talents,” Scraba said. “All students have a part in helping this non-profit organization.”
Special Olympics New York is the largest Special Olympics program in North America and 6th largest in the world.
The unified games involve students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade from different schools in Allegany. This will help build peer relationships between students without disabilities and students with disabilities, according to Scraba.
“St. Bonaventure athletes get the chance to interact with the special-needs athletes,” Scraba said. “Last year, they had a great time playing basketball and teaching drills to them.”
St. Bonaventure’s student-athletes will play basketball with the Special Olympics teams, then have a dunk contest. The basketball teams will help run drills with the Special Olympic teams prior to the unified games. The lunch for the athletes will be provided by a donation from the Knights of Columbus, which is a large catholic service organization.
“This year we are adding in a formal opening and closing ceremony,” Scraba said. “Each participant will receive a certificate at the closing ceremony.”
