Special Olympics Illinois Basketball Scores a Win on Marist's Assist

Special Olympics Illinois basketball teams were eager to bring their respective games to the splendid Marist High School’s three basketball courts, but the hoopsters had another surprise waiting when they arrived.

“Let’s just say it was all hands on deck,” said John O’Connell, Marist Assistant Athletic Director. “When we put out the word to our basketball teams that we were looking for volunteers, it just took off.”

One of the many student volunteers - boys varsity player Eric Lewis - played Friday night in Marist’s home victory and was back at the main gym the next morning helping at the scorer’s table, handing out water and serving up pizza in the cafeteria for hundred of Special Olympic Illinois’ athletes.

“I thought it was important to volunteer,” said Lewis. “I got such a ‘rush’ playing Friday night that I wanted to help these athletes enjoy the same ‘rush’,” said Lewis.

Freshman basketball player Laylani Amaro arrived ready for any task.

“It’s so nice that our school would hold this event,” said Amaro, a post player. “When I knew I didn’t have work Saturday I signed up right away.”

Mount Greenwood’s own Matthew Buck, 22, had his game face on as he entered the main gym and tallied 10 points in the tournament opener. Buck also has competed on the ski team and went to nationals in Orlando for swimming last year. Analyzing his own basketball game, he let his guard down.

“I have to work on my three pointers and my bank shots,” said Buck.

His mother, Beverly native Kathleen King Buck marveled at the level of volunteerism and close ratio of Marist students to tournament players.

“It’s so exciting for our players to meet the Marist players and talk basketball with them,” said Kathleen. “It really means a lot to our kids to have this experience.”

Long before the first basket was made, Special Olympics Illinois Region D directors Melissa Garritano and Caitlin Tipre were set up, ready and waiting for the dozen buses that would queue up by the front door. The uniformed players bolted from the buses through the frigid air to the Marist’s warm lobby area.

Later at noon Beggar’s Pizza’s individually-wrapped slices arrived with bottled water and other snacks. Marist student volunteers operated in precision carrying and distributing the lunches.

It’s a Family Affair

Two Marist students are homegrown products of the volunteerism culture because they’ve watched their parents’ leads for years. Joey and Mikie Fortner are at the very crux of two institutions coming together for one mission.

Their mother, Jennifer Fortner, served as Co-Chair of the Special Olympics 50th Anniversary in 2018 and has been actively involved with Special Olympics Illinois as a volunteer and active board member over decades. Their dad, P. Jay Fortner is the Marist Dean of Students, who also is drawn into family volunteerism for Special Olympics Illinois.

The many senior teams that competed Saturday morning at Marist High are on a path for placement in the state basketball finals competition at Illinois State University in March of 2023.

“The need is greater by the day to increase Special Olympic resources in Chicago and its outlying suburbs,” said Dave Breen, Special Olympic Illinois President and CEO. “Our gratitude goes out to Marist High School officials and administration for recognizing need and opening the doors to our hundreds of basketball players and their families.”

Special Olympics Illinois provides a spectrum of program choices for people with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities. Athletes train for a minimum of eight weeks before competing. Special Olympics Illinois provides opportunities in 18 different sports. Everyday, Special Olympics Illinois provides this opportunity to compete to more than 23,000 athletes and 13,000 Young Athletes.

Basketball has been one of the most popular sports in Illinois, providing competition for both teams and individuals. Five-on-five team competition is available in Junior, High School and in levels of Senior Male, Senior Female and co-ed age groups. Individuals compete in the Basketball Individual Skills Competition to develop basic basketball skills. Events include the Target Pass, 10 Meter Dribble and Spot Shot events.

Special Olympic Illinois basketball was first introduced in 1975. Basketball became an officially recognized sport of Special Olympics at the third Special Olympics International Games in Chicago in 1972.

“Basketball fanatics in Chicago and Illinois are some of our biggest supporters behind the scenes and during the games played,” said Mount Greenwood resident Melissa Garritano. “We knew the Marist experience would work well for both organizations, but especially the athletes.”

Marist grasps "inclusion" concept

Special Olympics Illinois’ mission includes growing its “inclusive” efforts throughout Chicagoland in coordination with Special Olympics North America Unified Champion City Schools (UCCS), which brings a focused approach to amplify the essential elements of Unified Champion Schools (UCS) within city school districts. UCS utilizes three interconnected components for social inclusion in schools:

o Special Olympics Unified Sports® (joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team)

o Inclusive Youth Leadership (when young people of all abilities are given opportunities to be leaders in their schools and communities)

o Whole-school engagement (creates a school climate that fosters understanding and respect for all and can influence how students think and act within and beyond the school)

About Special Olympics Illinois

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 13,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. It strives to be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development. If you are interested in being a part of Special Olympics Illinois and its vision, contact your local region, call our headquarters at 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org. Follow Special Olympics Illinois on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Special Olympics Illinois is the only entity in Illinois accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. and authorized by license to use the Special OlympicsTM trademark and logo. Any other entity that identifies itself as a “Special Olympics” organization in Illinois is not accredited by Special Olympics, Inc.

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