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November 19, 2009 - General
SLIAC SAAC TO TAKE A PLUNGE WITH THE
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
ST. LOUIS – For the first time, the St.
Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) has selected a single
charity for its member Student-Athlete Advisory Council’s (SAAC) to
volunteer their time, raise money and bring awareness during the 2009-10
academic year…the Special Olympics.
“Since my
predecessor {Rich Meckfessel} was here, our Conference SAAC group has
tried to organize some sort of community involvement in which the SAAC
groups at each member institution would participate. We were finally
able to make a determination and lay the ground work at our meeting last
February before finalizing things at our most recent Conference SAAC
meeting.” SLIAC Commissioner William J. Wolper said. “Division
III student-athletes compete in intercollegiate athletics for their love
and passion of the sport, quite often are dual-sport athletes, and their
involvement is only a part of their collegiate experience. That same
description can be used to describe Special Olympic Athletes.”
Through the course
of the academic year, campus SAAC groups will be involved with the local
Special Olympic chapters in opportunities of their choosing from hosting
clinics for Special Olympic Athletes to halftime competitions between
teams of Special Olympic Athletes, to volunteering at the numerous
events sponsored by the Special Olympics. As part of this involvement,
the SAAC groups will raise funds for the Special Olympics.
Though not the true
culmination of its involvement, one part several student-athletes are
most looking forward to is the Conference SAAC’s participation as one
team in the 2010 Polar Bear Plunge in Lake Saint Louis, Mo. on February
6. The funds raised by each campus SAAC group as of that date will be
donated to the Special Olympics in conjunction with the event.
Participation in the Plunge will precede the group’s winter meeting.
Those interested in
making a donation in support of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Council’s participation in the Polar
Bear Plunge can do so by contacting a member institution’s athletic
department or clicking
here.
About the Special
Olympics: Special Olympics is an international organization that
changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion
between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through
year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related
programming for more than 2.5 million children and adults with
intellectual disabilities in more than 180 countries, Special Olympics
has created a model community that celebrates people’s diverse gifts.
Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides
people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to
realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage
and experience joy and friendship.
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