SIUE Hosted Special Olympics At Recent Clinic

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The SIUE men’s and women’s basketball teams played host to more than 65 Special Olympians at a recent clinic at the Vadalabene Center.

SIUE women’s basketball Head Coach Paula Buscher helped organize the event which gave Special Olympians a chance to interact with both teams and their coaching staffs as well as practice the fundamentals of basketball.

“It was really cool to see our kids interacting and helping. Our kids were teaching and having just as much fun as the Olympians,” said Buscher.

The Special Olympians, who came from as far away as Mt. Vernon, Ill., were given pep talks by Buscher and men’s Head Coach Lennox Forrester. All of the campers were split into groups and were instructed on shooting, ball handling, and blocking-out for rebounds.

“They really made us feel special,” Forrester said. “It was awesome working with them.”

After the clinic, there was an autograph session and a pizza party for the Special Olympians.

“They were all out there to improve. I enjoyed watching the interaction between our players and the Special Olympians,” added Buscher.