LU-Belleville to host Special Olympics Sports Days

Lindenwood University-Belleville Athletics is pleased to announce they’ve teamed up with the Special Olympics and will now host the first Special Olympic Sports Days on Sept. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m.

“We are excited to partner with the Special Olympics,” said Interim Director of Athletics Annie Reis. “Working with such a great organization will provide our student-athletes with a way to truly live the NAIA Champions of Character core values in their everyday lives.”

She added: “Our coaches are enthusiastic not only about the opportunity to help coach these amazing athletes, but also the learning experience it is going to provide for our department and campus as a whole.”

Justin Dunning, who’s the Area 12 Director for the Special Olympics, views LU-Belleville and the Special Olympics partnership as a great match.

“In Illinois alone, more than 22,000 athletes compete in 19 Olympic-style sports and over 180 competitions each year,” Dunning stated. “Special Olympics Illinois provides athletes with the opportunity to develop their own pride and self-esteem, build new friendships, and have the thrill of participating in their sport.”

Dunning added: “Lindenwood Athletics is giving Special Olympics a chance to have a college experience and learn from the best coaches and athletes in the area through a series of clinics. This opportunity not only allows them to improve at their game, it does so at no cost to the athletes, their families, or the program. Special Olympics is a proud partner with Lindenwood Athletics.”

This is not only an exciting time for LU-Belleville overall to join forces with the Special Olympics but it’s a great opportunity for the student-athletes to teach, meet, learn and build lasting friendships with some fantastic athletes that represent the Special Olympics.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

This story was originally published August 1, 2016 at 9:58 PM with the headline "LU-Belleville to host Special Olympics Sports Days."