Ed Generali, Head Coach of Boys’ Basketball at Holy Cross High School, and students from Holy Cross High School have prepared for the arrival of 40 Special Olympics Basketball teams from throughout Connecticut for the 2013 Special Olympics CT Northwest Regional Basketball Invitational. Coach Generali now in his 27th year as volunteer Event Director reinforces the need for students at Holy Cross to give back to their community. Student volunteers, interacting with athletes with intellectual disabilities, help to create an environment of inclusion. Teams will gather this Saturday, March 16, joined by 55 athletes taking part in dribbling, shooting and passing events as part of the Individual Skills Competition. More than 400 athletes in total will participate.
“This event signifies the true meaning of participation”, commented Nora Mason, Regional Director for Special Olympics. “Student volunteers helping athletes with intellectual disabilities participate, so that they too will know the meaning of what it is like to be a part of a team; to experience joy; to feel a sense of pride in one’s accomplishments. It’s an amazing day in Waterbury.”
Holy Cross High School students will hold a Volunteer Rally on Thursday, March 14 at 7:30 AM at the school. Special Olympics Athletes Ray Hadden and Jake Segla will speak to students about how important their participation is in this event. Student volunteers not only plan the tournament but actively take part as volunteers on the day of the event.
Sponsors of the 2013 event include Naugatuck Savings Bank Foundation, Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation and The Palace Theater.
The first game begins at 8:30 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013. The Opening Ceremonies is at noon at Holy Cross High School, Waterbury.