R-MC Partners With SOVA For Hoops Day

Yellow Jackets Spend The Day With Special Olympians

ASHLAND, Va. --- The Randolph-Macon College Athletic Department, in conjunction with Special Olympics Virginia, hosted the James River Regional Basketball Tournament on February 12, 2012. More than 30 teams from around the region competed, with the goal of advancing to the Special Olympics Virginia Basketball Championship, which takes place in March.

Nearly 200 R-MC student-athletes, coaches, and Athletics Department administrators showed their Yellow Jacket pride by cheering on athletes who competed in full- and half-court games in the Brock Center and Crenshaw Gym.

R-MC student-athletes also sold t-shirts, worked the clocks, helped park cars and ushered. Chartwells Catering provided free meals to more than 800 Olympians and their families.

Click on Special Olympics to see a slideshow of photos from the event.

During the Opening Ceremonies, Sterling Dickerson of Special Olympics Virginia welcomed athletes, fans and volunteers. Following the Invocation, National Anthem, and Special Olympic Oath, the games began.

In addition to basketball games, participants competed in skills competitions, which included passing, dribbling and shooting. The skills competition was led by Women’s Basketball Coach Carroll LaHaye and her team. Olympic Town, set up in the Brock Center, offered younger athletes activities such as board games, dodge ball, wallyball and karaoke—as well as the opportunity to interact with R-MC athletes.

Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach Caitlin Moore, who helped organize the event, says the tournament gave R-MC students the opportunity to see firsthand the power of volunteerism.

“Our partnership with Special Olympics Virginia provides an exciting opportunity for our students to support and interact with the local community,” says Moore. “This was a great learning experience for the Special Olympians as well as our student volunteers.”

Psychology major Jillian Asay, a member of the women’s basketball team and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), served as a student leader.

“I helped coordinate details and made sure everything ran smoothly,” says Asay. “This event allowed me to combine my two passions: playing basketball and working with special-needs individuals. This event was eye-opening for us all, as well as a way to further enhance our compassion and respect for Special Olympic athletes.”

Director of Athletics Jeff Burns ’87 says, “Our hope is that this is just the beginning of a relationship between Randolph-Macon College and Special Olympics Virginia. Our student-athletes experienced the ‘spirit of Special Olympics’ and will have cherished memories that will last a lifetime.”

Following the games, Randolph-Macon hosted the Olympians for a post-tournament dance in the Alumni Gym. Jesse Getchell, a member of the Yellow Jackets baseball team, served as deejay.

This release is courtesy of the Randolph-Macon College sports information department.