Post by title1parent on Jan 25, 2009 9:00:53 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1396346,6_1_NA25_OLYMPICS_S1.article
Special athletes shine at United Center
January 25, 2009
By LAURA HAWBAKER For The Sun
The United Center crowd erupted in raucous cheers Friday as Peter Silagi, 19, made a 3-point shot, pulling the Waubonsie Valley Warriors ahead of the three-time state champion Neuqua Valley Wildcats.
Moments later, Neuqua's Page Perez, 18, made a layup at the buzzer, leveling the score to a 16-16 tie.
"Because it's the Special Olympics, people think these athletes are different; that we ought to care but not expect too much," said Chris Wolak, the head Special Olympics coach at Waubonsie Valley. "But these kids can do anything that everyone else can do."
The Friday night basketball game between Neuqua and Waubonsie was part of the Chicago Bulls' Court of Dreams program. Participating teams sell 300 tickets and receive 15 minutes of prime-time play on the United Center floor. District 204 has taken part in the Court of Dreams for the past three years.
"It's a thrill not many people get to have, hearing the fans cheer for you on an NBA court," said Wolak.
The people in the stands weren't the only ones applauding the athletes. On the sidelines, the Unified Cheerleaders, a cheer squad of Special Olympic athletes and peers, urged their teams on. "It's fun," said Neuqua's Samantha Davis, 15, whose favorite part about cheerleading is "the cute skirts."
"I like how I shoot the ball," said Neuqua athlete Tricia Has, 17. "I want to be the best basketball player ever and try my best."
"We have some great programs at the District 204 schools," said Joy Pierson-Nebergall, the head Special Olympics coach at Neuqua Valley. "Our athletes are earning letters, they're wearing their letterman jackets, and they want to be acknowledged just like any other student athlete."
Neuqua and Waubonsie face off yet again Sunday at the regional tournament in Vernon Hills, where they compete to qualify for the state finals.
Special athletes shine at United Center
January 25, 2009
By LAURA HAWBAKER For The Sun
The United Center crowd erupted in raucous cheers Friday as Peter Silagi, 19, made a 3-point shot, pulling the Waubonsie Valley Warriors ahead of the three-time state champion Neuqua Valley Wildcats.
Moments later, Neuqua's Page Perez, 18, made a layup at the buzzer, leveling the score to a 16-16 tie.
"Because it's the Special Olympics, people think these athletes are different; that we ought to care but not expect too much," said Chris Wolak, the head Special Olympics coach at Waubonsie Valley. "But these kids can do anything that everyone else can do."
The Friday night basketball game between Neuqua and Waubonsie was part of the Chicago Bulls' Court of Dreams program. Participating teams sell 300 tickets and receive 15 minutes of prime-time play on the United Center floor. District 204 has taken part in the Court of Dreams for the past three years.
"It's a thrill not many people get to have, hearing the fans cheer for you on an NBA court," said Wolak.
The people in the stands weren't the only ones applauding the athletes. On the sidelines, the Unified Cheerleaders, a cheer squad of Special Olympic athletes and peers, urged their teams on. "It's fun," said Neuqua's Samantha Davis, 15, whose favorite part about cheerleading is "the cute skirts."
"I like how I shoot the ball," said Neuqua athlete Tricia Has, 17. "I want to be the best basketball player ever and try my best."
"We have some great programs at the District 204 schools," said Joy Pierson-Nebergall, the head Special Olympics coach at Neuqua Valley. "Our athletes are earning letters, they're wearing their letterman jackets, and they want to be acknowledged just like any other student athlete."
Neuqua and Waubonsie face off yet again Sunday at the regional tournament in Vernon Hills, where they compete to qualify for the state finals.