Special Olympics tourney ready for tip
By DAWNE LEIKER
When athletes take to the court tonight for the opening ceremonies of the Kansas Special Olympics State Basketball and Cheerleading competition at Gross Memorial Coliseum, they will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Special Olympics Kansas.
Sheila Rehder, chairwoman of games management team, said more than 1,600 athletes and coaches from throughout the state are expected to be part of the weekend's activities.
The Barton County Community College cheerleaders and Hays Mayor Ron Mellick will be on hand to welcome the teams at the opening ceremonies, and Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., will present awards Saturday.
Rehder said the sight of a large crowd Thursday night, "really gets the teams pumped." She added the Hays community has been supportive of Special Olympics and has "always been great about sponsorships."
This year, special banners will decorate the coliseum, and flying discs will be given to athletes and coaches to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Special Olympics Kansas.
"I would encourage people to come out to the opening ceremonies," said Gloria VonFeldt, director of the Hays ARC chapter since 1998. "We would love to pack the coliseum."
VonFeldt has been involved with Special Olympics for more than 25 years, first as a volunteer and then as director. She said the athletes enjoy having community support at the tournament, and the community, in turn, really can learn a lot from watching the competition.
"They (the Special Olympic athletes) may come in last, but for the most part, they are just excited to be out there and participate and experience it," she said.
Two Hays basketball players, Donny Furrey and Tyler Jones, will be headed to the national competition this year as part of Team Kansas. VonFeldt pointed out the Friday and Saturday games would be a good opportunity for community members to see the players compete locally.
A team hospitality room will be located upstairs at Gate 3 of Gross Memorial Coliseum. People are invited to stop in to pick up game schedules, explore volunteer opportunities and meet the athletes.
Volunteers from the Hays community, as well as team sponsors, have been a "great help" in coordinating the event, Rehder said.