ASTON, Pa.–A group of 44 student-athletes and administrators from the Colonial States Athletic Conference volunteered at the 2014 USA Special Olympic Games in New Jersey. Most of the volunteers assisted at the sites of the various sporting events, including aquatics, basketball, flag football, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball, while others assisted with other aspects of the Games, including providing medical assistance and distributing meals to the athletes and coaches at the food and beverage tents. The volunteers served as time and score keepers, bat boys/girls, music operators, ball retrievers, team escorts and liaisons, members of the chain gang and lap assistants. The majority of the group volunteered their time on Monday, June 16, but others also participated in other events throughout the week, including Welcome Day and the Opening Ceremonies.
Here are the reflections from some of the CSAC volunteers on their USA Special Olympic Games experience:
“Today was a great day for the Special Olympic Athletes and volunteers,” said Immaculata University head women’s lacrosse coach Janelle Cronmiller. “It’s an extremely humbling experience to see so many athletes competing at such a high level despite the difficult circumstances they face in everyday life. It was refreshing to see so many smiles and exchange of sportsmanship throughout the day. The Special Olympics did a terrific job of hosting a first class event and making it a memorable experience for the athletes, spectators and volunteers!”
“The Special Olympics are something about which I am very passionate, so I was thrilled when I found out the CSAC was sponsoring volunteers from its member institutions,” said Sarah Wolcott, the head soccer coach and assistant director of athletics for wellness at Cedar Crest College. “I’ve been volunteering at the local, state, and national level for Special Olympics events since I was in college, and the dedication and heart these athletes show never ceases to amaze me. This was such a humbling experience. To see athletes who are playing for a genuine, bona fide love for the game is so inspiring. It was great to be able to share this experience with different members of the CSAC. It’s nice for our athletes to be able to get out of our typical ‘conference competition mode’ and be able to come together for such a great event.”
“Sports, especially softball, have always been near and dear to my heart,” said Shannon Wenner, a 2014 graduate of Cedar Crest College and current assistant coach. “I originally wanted to volunteer at the Special Olympics because it seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of something so much bigger than myself. I had no idea that in one day I would gain an experience that would not only change the way I view people with disabilities, but entirely change my definition of what a true athlete is.”
“I am always inspired by what people with disabilities can do,” said Selena Contreras, a field hockey and lacrosse student-athlete from Cedar Crest College. “I wanted to volunteer at the Special Olympics to learn more about what is it be a true athlete. I didn’t just experience that, though; I learned more than I ever thought I would about sportsmanship and true, honest competition.”
“My experience volunteering at Special Olympics USA Games is something I will treasure, and one of the highlights of my career,” said Notre Dame of Maryland University director of athletics Erin Foley. “I was moved by the hard work and dedication of the athletes, coaches and other volunteers in making this a rewarding experience for everyone involved. It reminds us of how sport should be played, and that lives can be changed for the better through sport participation. I am fortunate to have been a part of the games, even if it was just for a day.”
“Everyone there was so appreciative, the athletes and the other workers,” said Notre Dame student-athlete Tawny Cevora. ” I don’t care how long I would have had to stay out there….my experience was amazing and it was the best day of my life.”
“Special Olympics is an organization I have been involved with for years, and I hold it very dear to my heart,” said Notre Dame of Maryland University student-athlete Julianna Randazzo. “I enjoyed the interactions I had with the athletes, their parents, families, spectators, coaches, officials and other volunteers. It was an honor to travel up to New Jersey and volunteer for the 2014 summer games, I wish we could have stayed longer. I do look forward to many more opportunities to volunteer with Special Olympics!”
“Special Olympics combined the spirit of volunteering for an awesome cause, and the intensity and heart from every single athlete,” said Notre Dame of Maryland University student-athlete Ashley Fallon. “It was so rewarding to participate. The appreciation of the athletes throughout the day was over the top, even though the pleasure was all ours! Definitely a thumbs up event!”
“My favorite part, and the part I found to be the most inspirational, was actually my lunch break,” explained Notre Dame of Maryland University student-athlete Margaret Pedersen. “My partner and I went to watch the track meet while we waited for our sandwiches. We stood by the finish line so we could cheer loudly at the most important part of the race. Many parents came and asked us to cheer for their children, and they thanked us with smiles and hugs.”
“Being at the Special Olympics was just simply amazing!” said Notre Dame of Maryland University student-athlete Brea Kehr. “The experience that I received was far more than what I was expecting. Being in the position of ‘bat girl’ gave me a hands on experience interacting with these athletes and learning who they are. Every time the teams received three outs and returned back to the dugout, I would high five all of them, telling them ‘great job!’ They seemed to really appreciate the support and it felt like it gave them motivation. To this day, I think about all the athletes that I met and wished that I could have stayed longer to watch them play and interact with them more.”
The CSAC volunteers included:
Stephanie Bagniewski, Softball, Marywood University
Billie Blackwell, Athletic Director, Centenary College
Rosalind Brooks-Tucker, Cedar Crest College
Haley Broomell, Softball, Neumann University
Chase Brunner, Basketball, Cairn University
Joe Buss, Volleyball/Golf, Cairn University
Kelley Carvalho, Soccer, Centenary College
Tawny Cevora, Softball, Notre Dame of Maryland University
Naomi Collipp, Basketball, Cairn University
Selena Contreras, Field Hockey/Lacrosse, Cedar Crest College
Iris Correa, Assistant Athletic Director, Centenary College
Janelle Cronmiller, Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach, Immaculata University
Jessica Curtis, Softball, Centenary College
Caitlyn Dean, Softball, Centenary College
Haven Donovan, Field Hockey, Marywood University
Jennifer Dubow, Commissioner, Colonial States Athletic Conference
Amie Eppolito, Basketball, Cairn University
Ashley Fallon, Softball, Notre Dame of Maryland University
Erin Foley, Athletic Director, Notre Dame of Maryland University
Julia Fosbenner, Lacrosse, Cedar Crest College
Kerry Hars, Soccer, Rosemont College
Luke Hensel, Assistant Athletic Trainer, Marywood University
Brea Kehr, Softball, Notre Dame of Maryland University
Carly Leitzel, Basketball/Tennis, Marywood University
Danielle Lelie, Soccer/Softball, Rosemont College
Julianna Lubbe, Cairn University
Meagan Madsen, Softball, Immaculata University
Shaquira McCottry, Soccer/Basketball, Cedar Crest College
Hannah Morrison, Soccer, Cairn University
Adrienne Mullikin, Assistant Commissioner, Colonial States Athletic Conference
Abigail Nicolas, Swimming, Marywood University
Heather Passaro, Softball, Centenary College
Margaret Pedersen, Swimming, Notre Dame of Maryland University
Haley Philpott, Soccer, Rosemont College
Marianne Pratschler, Faculty Athletic Representative, Centenary College
Julianna Randazzo, Swimming, Notre Dame of Maryland University
Emily Rodenberger, Field Hockey/Lacrosse, Cedar Crest College
Sara Smith, Basketball, Immaculata University
Lisa Thuer, Coordinator of Diversity and Achievement in Athletics, Immaculata University
Jessica Versage, Softball, Rosemont College
Shannon Wenner, Softball, Cedar Crest College
Sarah Wolcott, Women’s Soccer Head Coach, Cedar Crest College
Heather Yaros, Basketball, Centenary College
Ian Zang, Cairn University
Source: http://www.csacsports.org/news/2014/6/23/GEN_0623143811.aspx