2008 Woodie Awards
Softball hosts Special Olympians
Matt Rosenberg
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: Sports
Originally published: 10/9/08 at 7:58 PM EST
Last update: 10/9/08 at 7:56 PM EST
The Plattsburgh State softball team hosted an opponent unlike any other it has before for a slow-pitch game.
But for a group of Special Olympics athletes from Clinton and Essex counties, it was more than a game. It was what one athlete called a better time than the New York State games. It was a playful Saturday afternoon. It was validation.
"It was an idea just given to Bruce Delventhal. He pulled it all together," said Jeanne Ryan, distinguished teaching professor at PSUC. "It's validation of the athletes and who they are."
Softball Head Coach Sean Cotter thought up the idea of the game after a basketball event on campus last year. He contacted Ryan, who has volunteered with the Special Olympics for three years, and she talked to the powers that be to set up the event.
Cotter told the PSUC team about the event at the beginning of the semester.
"Hopefully, for the Special Olympians, it (was) a chance to get out for a positive game setting," Cotter said. "Dr. Ryan is our liaison on campus with this stuff. We continue to be a part of the local community. That's the great thing about PSUC."
The Special Olympians typically participate in multiple sports. The PSUC game was a chance to get away from playing competitively against other Special Olympics teams and to have a feel-good game.
"It's all about having fun and being together and a great experience for them," PSUC third baseman Erin Jamieson said. "We wanted to teach them the cheers and stuff. It's a new experience for me."
Working with mentally handicapped people was a new experience for many involved. Cotter sported his broadcasting voice and did commentary for the game from the press box as the Special Olympians defeated PSUC.
But the game was not about the score. It was the thrill of playing against a college team. It was having a good time. It was validation.
"It means a lot. We have a great team," Special Olympian Jasmin Olsen said. "I love how (PSUC) cheered for us. It's great."
But for a group of Special Olympics athletes from Clinton and Essex counties, it was more than a game. It was what one athlete called a better time than the New York State games. It was a playful Saturday afternoon. It was validation.
"It was an idea just given to Bruce Delventhal. He pulled it all together," said Jeanne Ryan, distinguished teaching professor at PSUC. "It's validation of the athletes and who they are."
Softball Head Coach Sean Cotter thought up the idea of the game after a basketball event on campus last year. He contacted Ryan, who has volunteered with the Special Olympics for three years, and she talked to the powers that be to set up the event.
Cotter told the PSUC team about the event at the beginning of the semester.
"Hopefully, for the Special Olympians, it (was) a chance to get out for a positive game setting," Cotter said. "Dr. Ryan is our liaison on campus with this stuff. We continue to be a part of the local community. That's the great thing about PSUC."
The Special Olympians typically participate in multiple sports. The PSUC game was a chance to get away from playing competitively against other Special Olympics teams and to have a feel-good game.
"It's all about having fun and being together and a great experience for them," PSUC third baseman Erin Jamieson said. "We wanted to teach them the cheers and stuff. It's a new experience for me."
Working with mentally handicapped people was a new experience for many involved. Cotter sported his broadcasting voice and did commentary for the game from the press box as the Special Olympians defeated PSUC.
But the game was not about the score. It was the thrill of playing against a college team. It was having a good time. It was validation.
"It means a lot. We have a great team," Special Olympian Jasmin Olsen said. "I love how (PSUC) cheered for us. It's great."
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