Athletes will work with top collegiate coaches at basketball clinics
Indianapolis, Indiana – In partnership with the National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA) and supported by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association
(WBCA), the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), and the Kodak/WBCA
All-American Team, Special Olympics athletes will have the opportunity to be
super-stars. On April 3, athletes will participate in NCAA’s Youth Education
through Sports (YES) Clinics in Hoop City in St. Louis and Indianapolis during
the 2005 Men’s and Women’s Final Four Championships.
Special Olympics Athletes will work with and learn from top collegiate basketball
coaches from around the country at center court of the Indianapolis Convention
Center and the America Center at Edward Jones Dome. Participants will demonstrate
their athletic abilities not only to the coaches but to fans, helping to continue
the process of changing attitudes and creating acceptance for people with intellectual
disabilities.
“The NCAA is providing Special Olympics athletes with another stage where
they can learn more about sports, display their talents and interact with fans
at the same time,” said Jim Schmutz, managing director of Special Olympics
North America. “This will also be an opportunity for athletes to change
the stereotypes that people often have toward athletes and people with intellectual
disabilities into more positive, respectful attitudes.”
"We are so pleased by this partnership that will allow Special Olympics
athletes and NCAA coaches and student-athletes to help each other expand their
respective experiences and enjoy sport together,” said Judy Sweet NCAA
Vice President of Championship and Education Services. “The NCAA has made
a commitment to being inclusive and this is an important step in that direction."
“My enormous respect for Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s dream, and the
growth and importance of the Special Olympics is something we feel very strongly
about supporting,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “The WBCA and Kodak
have been working together to provide opportunities for Special Olympic athletes
for the past eight years. We only look for bigger and brighter things in the
future with the cooperation between the Special Olympics, WBCA and the NCAA.”
About 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 1.7 million children and adults with intellectual
disabilities in more than 150 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. There is no cost to participate
in Special Olympics. Visit Special Olympics online at www.specialolympics.org.
About the NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a voluntary association
of about 1,200 colleges and universities, athletic conferences and sports organizations
devoted to the sound administration of intercollegiate athletics. As part of
the NCAA’s effort to reach youth across the country, Youth Education through
Sports (YES) Clinics provide free hands-on instruction in sports, conditioning
and life skills at select collegiate championships. Exclusively the National
Youth Sports Corporation (NYSC) administers these clinics. At the 2005 Men’s
Final Four Championship in St. Louis and the Women’s Final Four Championship
in Indianapolis, the NCAA will produce NCAA Hoop City refreshed by Coca-Cola.
NCAA Hoop city is an interactive fan-festival where fans can win prizes, participate
in basketball competitions, attend basketball clinics and meet NCAA basketball
coaches and personalities.
About the WBCA and NABC
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) promotes
women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable
identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game
in all of its aspects as an amateur sport for women and girls. For more information
about the WBCA, please visit WBCA.org.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches founded in 1927 and located
in Kansas City, Missouri, promotes the ideals of integrity, sportsmanship and
teamwork among men's basketball coaches and the players whom they coach.
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