SJC Long Island Hosts NYS Special Olympics

October 21, 2015 LI

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – OCTOBER 21, 2015 – SJC Long Island recently hosted the New York State Special Olympics on Sunday, October 18. More than 175 special athletes, coaches and volunteers turned SJC’s John A. Danzi Athletic Center into a celebratory series of Olympic-style sporting events for children and adults with disabilities. 

“Once again, the Special Olympics athletes exhibited great determination and were an inspiration to all who attended,” said Patrick Tracy, director of campus ministry at SJC Long Island. “As the Special Olympics states, ‘the only records broken are those for courage, determination and sportsmanship.’”   

Throughout the day, the athletes participated in events such as bowling, javelin, target throwing, basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, spikeball and fiddle stick. In addition, there was a dance floor and DJ. The competition aims to build sportsmanship, courage and self-esteem. 

Founded in the 1960s by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than 4.2 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities by giving them continual opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship. 

ABOUT ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE
St. Joseph’s College has been dedicated to providing a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the College provides a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility and service. Through SJC Brooklyn, SJC Long Island and SJC Online, the College offers degrees in more than 45 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs.