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In one of Widener University's most important traditions, the athletics department on Saturday hosted the Special Olympics for a day of fun, games and overall goodwill.
Student-athletes from all of Widener's teams helped take part in officiating events ranging from basketball games to swimming races. The student-athletes also helped serve food, conduct karaoke and run a variety of other games. The Pride's coaches also helped out in making this one of the school's highly anticipated days.
A total of 200 volunteers were in attendance, including 130 of Widener's student-athletes. Over 525 Special Olympians took part from the organization's Delaware County Chapter.
The event also was the culmination of the NCAA's inaugural Division III Week. The purpose of Division III Week is to call attention to each school's campus and highlight student-athletes achievements ranging from athletics, academics and community service. The event is part of Division III's Identity Initiative, which seeks to provide an assortment of tools and programs for use in sharpening the division's identity in explaining why they prefer to compete in Division III.
