On April 7, WHS hosted the Special Olympics basketball regional finals for the 26th year in a row. The Special Olympics is a seasonal sports league offering persons of all ages with intellectual disabilities (ID) the chance to compete in sports like soccer, football, volleyball, and basketball.
“This event is the conclusion of an entire season,” said the vice president of sports at Special Olympics, Matt Ruxton. “Our teams have been playing since December in their leagues and put everything they have into it for the opportunity to qualify to play at WHS.”
The Special Olympics gives athletes the opportunity to be a part of a larger community and to experience the sense of competition and joy that comes from playing a sport.
“The athletes of Special Olympics face many challenges that you and I do not, and when they step onto the court or field it is a place they can feel accepted and are not judged for having an ID,” Ruxton said.
Being a part of a team brings many players joy and makes them feel special.
“I have made some friends, and it helps me exercise and stay healthy,” said Special Olympian Evan Adelman. “I like when I get a basket, because it makes me feel good.”
The Special Olympics also creates a sense of community through bonding activities such as trips.
“Last year we went on a getaway to Boston and it was a lot of fun,” Special Olympian Larry Haney said. “We slept in dorm rooms, we got to play on the Harvard indoor tennis courts, we played cornhole during downtime, we went to a dance and we tried Raising Canes for the first time.”
The competition and zeal were apparent throughout the tournament, especially for the players.
“The energy in the tournament is very high,” said Haney. “Everyone wants to win so there are a lot of fouls and hustling.”
The spirit and passion that the players brought to the sport was also felt by spectators of the tournament.
“The players get so excited about playing,” student activities director Cynthia Brisky said. “They are very competitive, but also show so much sportsmanship. It’s an incredible event to watch.”
Volunteers also got involved in the excitement of the tournament.
“It is such a great experience to watch our Weston students interacting with the teams, warming up with them, cheering for them, celebrating at their medal ceremonies and dancing in the Olympic Village together,” said Brisky.
The volunteers’ energy was extremely important to keeping the energy high and the games entertaining.
“With a tournament like this I believe a good environment comes from the students at WHS that host the event,” said Ruxton. “The more welcoming they are—the more festive and outgoing they are—the more inclusive the event becomes. Without that it is just another basketball game.”
This fact is recognized by student volunteers as well.
“Making sure people were cheering was a big task last year so that the environment the players were in could be positive and fun,” said student volunteer Sienna Zerola.
The great energy and enthusiasm for the competition and game allows players to show exceptional sportsmanship as well.
“I was at a tournament a few weeks ago and the losing team was just as happy when their opponent scored a basket as when they did,” said Ruxton. “Everyone was rooting for each other to succeed. That is typical for most games.”
Even when athletes lose, they are still able to pick themselves back up and keep a positive attitude while preparing for the next game.
“I tell myself if I have a bad game this week to try to bounce back the next week and I’ll work extra hard,” said Haney. “I’ll remind myself to keep calm and not get nervous about my shots failing. I also try to listen to the coaches’ advice when they say I will get better. I may not believe it at first but as the season progresses I’ll realize they were right.”
Overall players’ love for the sport is what made the Special Olympics an incredible event to volunteer at, to watch, and to play in.
“I think their passion is no different than anyone else that plays. They get up for their games and love stepping onto the court like everyone else,” said Ruxton. “The athletes are just as competitive as their nuerotypical peers and they strive for the same results. They play because they love the sport and love to engage with their friends and peers.”