Photos of SAAC/Special Olympics Event

BRIDGEWATER, Va. --- While a rare basketball doubleheader was what appeared on the schedule on Saturday afternoon for the Bridgewater Eagles, the halftime entertainment for both contests was a pleasant change of pace for the fans in Nininger Hall.

At halftime of the men’s and women’s basketball games on Saturday against Roanoke, the Bridgewater College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) sponsored a pair of unique basketball games that provided entertainment for the more than 600 fans that packed Nininger Hall.

More than a dozen local Special Olympians came out to Saturday’s twinbill and showed their basketball spirit and also showed off their basketball skills in a pair of 3 on 3 basketball games against a number of Bridgewater College student-athletes.

Donning their purple uniforms, the local Special Olympians were introduced alongside of the Bridgewater College starting lineup for both games, with each Special Olympian running through the pre-game tunnel with a Bridgewater starter.

Aside from the halftime activities, the student-athletes also joined the local Special Olympians for a postgame pizza party.

Special Olympics Virginia is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization serves more than 10,000 athletes through seven regional offices and 29 area programs.  SOVA is one of 52 U.S. programs, and part of a global movement that serves three million athletes in more than 180 countries.

In the summer of 2011, the NCAA announced that it was partnering with Special Olympics at the Division III level. The purpose of the partnership is to improve the lives of Special Olympics athletes through their involvement with Division III student-athletes and to foster a mutual learning experience between Division III student-athletes and Special Olympics athletes.

Through this partnership, Division III student-athletes across the country are be encouraged to participate in existing Special Olympics events, create their own events, or otherwise serve to support Special Olympics organization. The activities pursued by student-athletes will vary in each state and region, tailored to best utilize the student-athletes' time and local resources.

This partnership provides the opportunity for student-athletes to engage with Special Olympics and collaborate with existing student-led programs on campus.

--- This release is courtesy of the Bridgewater College Sports Information Office. ---