For Debbie Reffner, a junior general studies major, being a Special Olympics volunteer brings the kind of rewards that arrive with the end of a race.
“When [the Special Olympics athletes] come across the finish line and give [the volunteer] a hug, it’s the best part,” Reffner said. “I was so touched that I cried at the spring games last semester.”
This weekend, Bryan-College Station and Texas A&M will be transformed into an olympic village. The annual Special Olympics Fall Classic will host more than 1,200 athletes, 500 volunteer coaches and more than 1,500 community volunteers.
“Special Olympics is a chance for people with disabilities to showcase their talents,” said Mary Kay Brown, a Special Olympics volunteer and a senior interdisciplinary studies major.
In addition to competition, events and activities such as the opening ceremonies, the victory dance and athlete village also will continue for the duration of the weekend to give the athletes and their families a chance to interact and relax between events.
“We are very excited to be hosting the Fall Classic this year,” said Kim Fink, a Special Olympics volunteer and a senior education major at A&M. “This is the first time Bryan-College Station has had the honor to host this large of an event for Special Olympics.”
Each event will be held at a separate venue. Aquatics will be held at the A&M Natatorium, golf will be held at the A&M Golf Course and bocce will be played at the Southwood Park in College Station. The triathlon will be at the Bryan Aquatics Center and Bryan High School.
Of all the teams competing in the different venues, the only team that can claim a home field advantage is the Aggie Bombers. The Bombers will bring 25 athletes, two coaches and two volunteers to the Fall Classic, all from Bryan-College Station. Athletes from the team will compete in golf, bocce or both.
“We will be looking to play our best competing side-by-side with athletes from all over Texas,” said Kent Herrman of Bryan and an athlete in the Fall Classic.
Herrman said more than 1,500 community volunteers and students from various on-campus organizations will lend their time and talent to setting up and closing down the Fall Classic.
Student organizations at A&M volunteering at the Fall Classic include MSC Hospitality, MSC Fish and Alpha Phi Omega.
“Even the the surrounding high schools are helping,” Brown said. “We need all the help we can get, because the Fall Classic is nearly ten times bigger than any other Special Olympic Games we’ve held in College Station.”
The coordinators for the Fall Classic said it is not too late to sign up as a volunteer for this weekend’s events. Those interested in volunteering can send an e-mail to [email protected] with contact information or can show up at the the Fall Classic volunteer headquarters at the Student Rec Center on the A&M campus on the day they would like to volunteer.
All of the events that occur during the Fall Classic are open to the public, but according to Fink, Brown and Hixon, the best part of the weekend is the victory dance and closing ceremonies.
“The victory dance is a chance for people to meet and mingle with the athletes,” Fink said. “It’s a wonderful social opportunity for both the athletes and the community volunteers.”
The victory dance and closing ceremonies will take place on Saturday evening at 7:30p.m. at Reed Arena. There is no entry fee and is open to the public.