Special Olympics brings out the volunteer spirit on campus

As Tom Roberge sees it, the Special Olympics are "a great opportunity for the kids to get out and play."

Roberge, a physical education professor and coordinator of the Special Olympics at Norwich University, took over the event four years ago.

On March 28, after six weeks of preparation, Norwich hosted its eighth Special Olympic basketball event, courtesy of the school's physical education program.

"Fortunately it's been a huge success and it's almost twice the size it was four years ago," Roberge said. "I think last year we had 240 athletes here from all over the state of Vermont."

The event ran from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. that Sunday, and required dozens of volunteers. Many of the volunteers who facilitate the event are students from the physical education department.

"It's a good cause. I started out doing it for my physical education class," said Ryan Kelly, 21, a junior physical education major from Albany, New York, "but now it's a little bit more than that. It's just good to help out every year."

Norwich hosts the Special Olympics in the fall and spring each year. The event is open to those with physical, mental, and social disabilities, from all over Vermont.

 "I have helped with the fall and spring Special Olympics for the past three years," said Natalie Marchese, 22, a senior physical education major from Rutland, Vt.

"I don't know if I ever would have taken the opportunity [if it weren't part of a class]," Marchese said, "but now that I have I am glad that I did."

According to Roberge, "50-60 volunteers are needed throughout the day" and students are assigned to recruit the helpers.

"Last year, my job was to get the volunteers all coordinated," said Dan Wilde, 22, a senior physical education major from Rutland, Mass. "I went around to all the captains and got most of the sports teams to go. I just got the word out about it."

Other jobs that needed to be filled for the event include announcers, officials, medical staff, advertising and public relations work. Signs were put up around campus and the organization of the game sequence and award ceremonies was coordinated.

"Like I said it's good to give something back to the kids who participate," Kelly said.

"They're not as fortunate as we are and I think it's always good to take a step back and see them get to compete just like we do every day."

"It's really nice to help out all the kids and it's very rewarding," said Josh Brown, 20, a junior physical education major from Rochester, N.Y. "It really shows that even though it is Special Olympics, they all have very good skills."

"I thought it was a cause worth giving to," said Sarah Scardino, 22, a junior communications major from Stoughton, Mass. "It helps remind me that you shouldn't take what you have for granted because some people aren't as fortunate."

"It's a great chance for people to come together and for the kids to have fun," Roberge said.