SVSU hosts first Special Olympics

Area athletes compete in the inaugural event

by Stacy Wilson
Vanguard Staff Writer

April 21, 2008 —

SVSU hosted the inaugural Special Olympics Thursday in the Ryder Center.

The participants and volunteers were pleased to note that the weather had turned in their favor.

"It has previously been canceled due to weather, so they wanted to ensure that all the athletes wouldn't be disappointed again," said coordinator of the event Maggie Baase, an elementary special education junior.

"Doctor Ann-Catherine Sullivan sent an e-mail out about needing volunteers for this event. I responded to this e-mail to find out more information, and she asked me if I would be willing to be the volunteer coordinator," Baase said of how she acquired the position.

Baase had a significant undertaking to get SVSU students involved.

"I helped recruit over 100 volunteers from SVSU students and I put together the schedules for where and when they would work," she said.

The Special Olympics lasted from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to give participants the chance to compete in as many events as they could.

Participants Owen Clark and Antoine Simmons were excited about the day.

"I had a lot of fun", said Hemlock-resident Clark.

Clark participated in shot-put, softball throw, and long jump.

"I have been doing this for nine years," the 16-year-old said.

Simmons, a Bridgeport native, has participated in the Special Olympics "plenty of times."

"Running is my favorite event. I got first place in the 50-meter dash," Simmons said. "I also ran the 100-meter and did the 200-meter walk."

SVSU plans on continuing efforts to host a Special Olympics each year.

"I do know that this year we made a lot of steps in preparing for next year," Baase said.

Many volunteers helped to make the day a success for all the participants.

"Just knowing that so many SVSU students and so many Special Olympics athletes had a lot of fun that day was worth half of the work I put into the day," Baase said.

"We are already making plans to make this event even more successful next year since we believe it will be held at SVSU again."

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