Feb. 16, 2010

BOSTON - On February 7, over 50 Boston University student-athletes came together to host a Special Olympics event at Case Gymnasium for the second consecutive year. Eleven Special Olympics teams came to The Roof to participate in the basketball games and were greeted with an opening ceremony, which included BU's drum line, cheerleaders and national anthem.

Student-athletes arrived at 8 a.m. on Sunday for set-up and more arrived at the beginning of the event to serve as fans - giving the event a festive atmosphere.

"It is truly rewarding to allow these athletes the opportunity to compete in a collegiate setting alongside many of the BU athletes that they hold as role models," said senior men's swimmer and SAAC Vice President Kyle Berg. "I actually got excited as the Special Olympics competitors ran through the tunnel of BU athletes, greeted with the sounds of cheering fans, applause and the cadences of the BU drumline."

The 11 teams in attendance are part of Project Unify - a program that features Special Olympics athletes as well as non-Special Olympics athletes. The goal of the program is that any observer would not be able to identify which athlete is from Special Olympics and which is not.

"I think it is very appropriate that an athletic department that has the highest standards and are true 'winners' in sports themselves would help our athletes feel the same way," said Special Olympics' assistant vice president for marketing and development Joseph Siegel. "This day really made a difference in their lives."

The day featured an opening ceremony complete with a parade of competitors through a tunnel made of BU athletes and cheerleaders, the BU drumline playing as the athletes marched in, a speech by Dean Elmore and a closing awards ceremony at which time all athletes received gold medals.

"I am always amazed at the response of the BU athletes for this great cause, giving up time on their days off and helping out with full enthusiasm," concluded Berg.

SAAC will continue its partnership with the Special Olympics when it hosts a swim meet at Competition Pool on Sunday, May 2. In 2009, the event hosted almost 100 Special Olympics athletes, and the number is expected to grow to over 400 athletes.