Get Loud, Get Crazy For Special Recreation Basketball Day

OAK LAWN, IL — Get loud and crazy when the Oak Lawn Eagles take the court for the 11th annual Special Recreation Basketball Day this Saturday, Jan. 18, at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, 5345 W. 99th St., Oak Lawn (99th Street and 54th Avenue). Doors open at noon with the opening ceremonies starting at 12:30 p.m. The games are free, but free-will donations will be gratefully accepted.

The Oak Lawn Eagles will split their teams and square off against each other, with a half-time show presented by the Oak Lawn Pep Squad. Games start around 1 p.m. While the squads will be playing before hundreds of family members and friends, the rest of the town is invited to pack the house.

This is an inspiring afternoon where the Eagles will not only be showing how well they can play the game of basketball, they'll be raising money for the Special Recreation Athletic Support Association cooperative. The team has been practicing for the big game for weeks in anticipation of playing in front of a big crowd.

Special Recreation Basketball Day began 11 years ago in a small gym at St. Linus School in Oak Lawn. John Zawaski, who used to bring his sons to watch the Eagles. After learning that the teams received no state or local government funding, Zawaski, owner of the Barrel Club Restaurant and Bar, Zawaski and others organized teams for special needs players.

"At the time they had bad uniforms and were getting charged in Oak Lawn for gym time," Zawaski said. “I found that really hard to believe. These athletes deserved to be playing before a big crowd.”

The program draws players from Oak Lawn, Bridgeview, Burbank, Chicago Ridge, Crestwood, Evergreen Park, Hometown, Justice, Palos Hills and Summit. Through players’ participation in the Oak Lawn special recreation program, they receive training for Special Olympics of Illinois teams.

Get loud, get crazy and pack the house for Oak Lawn Special Recreation Basketball Day