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NU hosts Special Olympics event

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal - 4/27/2018

April 27--More than 220 Special Olympians, comprising nine clubs, and their families took part in Niagara University's recent Special Olympics New York's Western Regional Basketball Tournament.

Every year since 2006 as a culminating experience for students who take the Special Olympics: Coaching and Games Management course. This year's event took place Saturday at NU's Kiernan Recreation Center.

Conceived by Chandra Foote, dean of Niagara University'sCollege of Education, the course is taught by Dennis Garland, assistant professor of education. Sections of the course are presented by the College of Education and others by the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

"I am beyond proud of how well our students fundraised, planned, practiced, studied and poured their hearts into this event," said Garland. "I am also very humbled by and proud of the Western New York community for partnering with Niagara University to make this event a huge success."

Special Olympics is widely known as an international organization with a mission to help persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society. Athletes are offered a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition, and to increase the public's awareness of their capabilities and needs.

Accordingly, the Special Olympics course at NU has multiple components, including:

--Providing students with knowledge about the nature of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

--Developing skills among teacher candidates to become certified Special Olympics coaches.

--Training children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities to compete in the annual regional basketball tournament.

--Planning and hosting a sanctioned Special Olympics regional basketball tournament.

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(c)2018 the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal (Lockport, N.Y.)

Visit the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal (Lockport, N.Y.) at lockportjournal.com

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