Special Olympians Going For Gold Too

POTSDAM - Although the Olympic games ended a week ago, the spirit of sportsmanship and competition was in the air Saturday at the Clarkson Alumni Gym.

Approximately 55 athletes with intellectual disabilities came to the Special Olympics Awareness Day and sports clinic to work on the fundamentals of basketball, volleyball, basketball, soccer and golf with members of Clarkson University's Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

"We do this to kind of let people know more about what we do and try out events we offer as competitions," said Beth M. Demo, an organizer with the Special Olympics Area 27, which covers St. Lawrence and Franklin counties.

At the soccer station, Clarkson University senior Andrew M. Rensinger tended goal as Danny Bell, a member of the Area 27 Leap Frogs, made five goals before running back to high-five his friends waiting in line.

"We would definitely train with this stuff," Mr. Rensinger said. "It helps develop the fundaments and you've got to make sure you have those."

Mrs. Demo said one of the biggest misconceptions about the Special Olympics is that it is only an annual international competition. In fact, the organization holds competitions and skill-building events year-round at local areas to help athletes with disabilities stay fit and develop confidence, she said.

"There are the areas, then the regionals and the nationals. Then every two years we do international competitions," she said. "We have training information here for people who want to coach to learn about the regulations. If people come to us and say, 'I'd like to train my athlete in this sport,' we'd help them and support that too."

Jackie M. Searle said she came from Massena with her son, Carl L., for the exercise and the opportunity to play with other youths.

"What's great about the Special Olympics is it still provides sports, but the level is different. There isn't the competitiveness," she said. "It gives them a feeling of fun and accomplishment."

Maria J. Hernandez and her friend Trudy M. Ferris both play for the Area 27 Shamrocks basketball team.

Since the team, which competed in Albany last year, doesn't have a game until May, the pair came out for a chance to play against Clarkson athletes, Miss Hernandez said.

"We came to show team spirit," Miss Ferris said. "I hope to go further this year than last year."