Sports Management, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Health and Fitness Promotions Programs Host Special Olympics Fall Classic
Recently, forty-six Special Olympians visited SUNY Canton for the Special Olympics North Country Fall Classic. The SUNY Canton Sports Management, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Health and Fitness Promotions programs hosted the September 24 event.
The fall classic consisted of an individual softball skills competition and a team bocce ball tournament held on the SUNY Canton softball and turf fields. Cadin Taggart and Brennan Harmer, seniors in the Sports Management program, worked closely with program director Diane Para and Danielle Armstrong, program director for Special Olympics of New York, to coordinate, organize and run the games as part of a capstone project.
“It is always a special and rewarding day to work with the Special Olympics in providing the athletes with a great experience,” Para said. “Brennan and Cadin did an outstanding job planning for the event, and their organization, event management and leadership skills were absolutely tremendous throughout the day.”
Four different regions brought Special Olympians to the games. Two opening ceremonies for both competitions allowed the athletes to march with volunteers from each academic program and awards ceremonies following each competition.
“Words could not express how well we thought the event went,” Armstrong said. “It was so well done, and we appreciate everyone’s efforts so very much.”
In conjunction with the games, the Special Olympics Healthy Athlete Fitness Screening program was conducted simultaneously by the Physical Therapist Assistant, Health and Fitness Promotions faculty, students, and local volunteer clinicians.
“What makes the day even more rewarding is watching our Sports Management, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Health and Fitness Promotion students volunteer and become completely engaged with the athletes,” Para said. “They were all exceptional, and their collective effort made the day so wonderful for all involved.”
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