2008 Woodie Awards
Athletes compete in Special Olympics at Slippery Rock
By Valerie Waltz
Issue date: 10/14/05 Section: News
Slippery Rock University hosted the Western Fall Sectional for Special Olympics Sunday afternoon.
Nearly 275 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Athletes (SOPA) traveled to SRU for the 13th annual Western Fall Sectional. Athletes from 10 different programs throughout the western third of the state competed in five sports, including bocce, long distance walking/running, power lifting, soccer, and volleyball.
The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults who have intellectual disabilities. Every athlete who competes in Special Olympic events competes against athletes of similar abilities.
Fall Sectionals are held statewide and serve as qualifiers for Special Olympics Pennsylvania's larger Fall Festival event that will be held at Villanova University from Nov. 11-13. The Fall Sectional gives a great opportunity for people with disabilities to shine and excel as competitors.
In addition to the 275 athletes that competed, more than 90 coaches traveled to SRU to cheer on and encourage their teams.
County programs that were represented included: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, DuBois/Jefferson, Erie City, Lawrence, and Venango/Forest.
There was no charge to attend SOPA competitions for athletes, volunteers or spectators.
Over 400 volunteers from SRU donated their time on Sunday. A student committee from SRU, under the direction of Laura Arnhold and Cory Smith, helped to organize the event.
"I think it's a great thing that Special Olympics does for children and their families," Ashley Hockenberger, a junior English major, said. "I came out on Sunday to cheer on the athletes. My nephew, Zachary, is autistic and this is something that I believe he should get involved in. It's a great organization."
"I believe it is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to see people with intellectual disabilities participate in the Special Olympic events that they have trained for," Pamela Arnhold, faculty adviser for the special Olympics said.
Nearly 275 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Athletes (SOPA) traveled to SRU for the 13th annual Western Fall Sectional. Athletes from 10 different programs throughout the western third of the state competed in five sports, including bocce, long distance walking/running, power lifting, soccer, and volleyball.
The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults who have intellectual disabilities. Every athlete who competes in Special Olympic events competes against athletes of similar abilities.
Fall Sectionals are held statewide and serve as qualifiers for Special Olympics Pennsylvania's larger Fall Festival event that will be held at Villanova University from Nov. 11-13. The Fall Sectional gives a great opportunity for people with disabilities to shine and excel as competitors.
In addition to the 275 athletes that competed, more than 90 coaches traveled to SRU to cheer on and encourage their teams.
County programs that were represented included: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, DuBois/Jefferson, Erie City, Lawrence, and Venango/Forest.
There was no charge to attend SOPA competitions for athletes, volunteers or spectators.
Over 400 volunteers from SRU donated their time on Sunday. A student committee from SRU, under the direction of Laura Arnhold and Cory Smith, helped to organize the event.
"I think it's a great thing that Special Olympics does for children and their families," Ashley Hockenberger, a junior English major, said. "I came out on Sunday to cheer on the athletes. My nephew, Zachary, is autistic and this is something that I believe he should get involved in. It's a great organization."
"I believe it is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to see people with intellectual disabilities participate in the Special Olympic events that they have trained for," Pamela Arnhold, faculty adviser for the special Olympics said.
