Contests build relationship Special Olympians take on law enforcement
On the gym floor, Butler County Special Olympic athlete Austin Sellner kept calm as he took warm-up shots before his basketball game against a different type of opponent.
“It's pretty nice that they come and help support us and play with us,” said Sellner, 21, about playing against law enforcement. “We hope we win, we hope.”
Shoes squeaked, whistles blew and basketballs thumped against the gymnasium floor as about 30 Butler County Special Olympic athletes competed and suited up against law enforcement officers in three-on-three and five-on-five basketball scrimmages at McQuistion Elementary School Tuesday evening.
Law enforcement included officers from Cranberry Township, Butler and state troopers.
Cranberry Township Police Cpl. Bill Och was excited to play against the Special Olympic team for the first time, he said.
“I think it's a great opportunity for us to interact with individuals not in bad situations,” Och said. “For us to come out and engage in an athletic activity is positive for them and very rewarding for the officers as well.”
This is the first time the basketball team has faced off against law enforcement, said Janiel Henley, the five-on-five coach.
“It creates a good vibe between them knowing law enforcement are OK people and they can feel safe around them and be able to talk to them,” Henley said.
Basketball practice started in March, said Jeff Myers, the three-on-three coach for the Special Olympians. He also coaches soccer and floor hockey.Playing against law enforcement offers the team fresh competition, Myers said.“It gives them a break from playing against each other,” he said. “It gives them a motivation.”The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a campaign to benefit the Special Olympics, said Renee Spohn, fundraising coordinator for Butler County Special Olympics.“I've been trying to get a better relationship with our local law enforcement agents,” Spohn said, adding this is the beginning of that relationship.Last year the volleyball and floor hockey teams scrimmaged against law enforcement, she said.Close to 200 athletes are registered in the program, participating in 14 sports, said Mary Pitzer of Butler County Special Olympics. The county has offered Special Olympics since 1973.Not only does the experience give the athletes a feeling of accomplishment. It teaches them to not fear law enforcement, she said.“A lot of athletes are fearful of lights and sirens, even the uniforms that firefighters have to wear,” Pitzer said. “If they build a relationship, if they see flashing lights they might not be as scared.”The interaction with law enforcement helps people feel more comfortable because it changes the negative perception that is sometimes seen on the television and Internet, said Jacki Abel, a 27-year-old Butler athlete.Mars athlete Stephanie Myers, who has participated in the Butler County Special Olympics since 2007, was a mix of nervous and excited. However, she was ready to have fun playing against the officers.“They keep you safe,” said Myers, 23, about law enforcement. “Don't be afraid of them.”
Athletes must be at least 8 years old and identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: intellectual disability, cognitive delays as measured by formal assessment or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay that require or have required special instruction.People interested in becoming a Butler County Special Olympic athlete or who want more information can contact Mary Pitzer at 724-738-1477.
