CCC SAAC Participates with Special Olympics in a Day of Bocce Ball

BRISTOL, R.I. – The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) recently teamed up with the Bristol Warren Huskies Special Olympics Team to play a few games of bocce ball.  On Sunday, October 14 CCC member Roger Williams University hosted 16 CCC student-athletes from eight other institutions and six Special Olympics athletes for a few hours of healthy competition in a fun and encouraging environment.  The CCC student-athletes either teamed up to compete with the Special Olympics athletes or served as an official or fan supporter during the event.

CCC SAAC members were expecting to be teaching the Olympians how to play bocce, as Endicott College fieldhockey goalie Taylor Teixeira stated: "Playing Bocce ball at the SAAC event was a blast, I think it was really great for us to be able to do an event with our partners, the Special Olympics.  When we got there, I thought it was going to be us teaching the athletes how to play the game, however, they were the ones who ended up teaching us.  It was a great experience and I am happy I was able to be a part of it." Not only did the CCC SAAC members learn about the sport of bocce, competing with the Olympians re-instilled that fun is a primary component of all athletics. As college athletes, it is often forgotten among the competitive nature of sports, that competing in athletic events can be fun, win or lose.  After the event the Olympians were invited to have lunch with the student-athletes and were presented with CCC SAAC t-shirts.  Endicott softball player Byrne Katz echoed Teixeira's sentiments and said, "I think the important thing to note about the event is that we all went into it thinking we were going to teach the athletes how to play when in fact, they were the ones who taught us. It was a great eye opening experience. The NCAA D3 relationship with Special Olympics is an important one and I hope to do much more with this fantastic organization."

“Having an opportunity to host the CCC SAAC representatives and the RI Special Olympic athletes in bocce ball was a tremendous experience for our student-athletes and Special Olympic participants,” said Joyce Maudie, Assistant Athletic Director/SWA at Roger Williams.   “It was fun to watch the teams in action and see the camaraderie, competiveness and enthusiasm displayed throughout the event.”

NCAA Division III National SAAC Representative and RWU graduate Jacqui Cohen served as the liaison to Special Olympics and was instrumental in continuing a partnership with the Special Olympics of Rhode Island and Roger Williams. “I am extremely grateful for all of the work Jacqui has done in creating a strong relationship with the Special Olympics of Rhode Island,” said Shannon O’Brien, Assistant Commissioner of the CCC and CCC SAAC co-advisor.  “It is great to see our CCC student-athletes celebrate the Division III partnership with Special Olympics and to see the positive impact the Olympians have on the student-athletes and vice versa.” 

The CCC would like to thank Special Olympics Rhode Island for the opportunity to participate in an event with the Olympians and all the student-athletes and supporters that came out that day. 

The NCAA Division III partnership is designed to improve the lives of Special Olympics athletes through their involvement with Division III student-athletes and foster a mutual learning experience between Division III student-athletes and Special Olympics athletes.