As in past years, the Trooper Ross M. Riley leg of the Law
Enforcement Torch Run will kick off the activities. The torch run, named in
memory of Allegany-area New York State Trooper Riley, will begin at 9 a.m.
Friday in Olean’s Lincoln Park, near the intersection of West State and North
Union streets. The approximately 3-mile route will take runners into the main
arena of the Reilly Center for opening ceremonies, slated to begin around 9:30.
Along with the athletes and runners — including members from
the university’s ROTC program and track team — nearly 100 volunteers from the
participating schools and St. Bonaventure will assist with organizing the
event. The university’s chapter of Knights of Columbus as well as the club
ENACTUs will provide lunch for the volunteers, while Portville Central School’s
meal service will provide lunch for the athletes.
The competition will be played in four total rounds, with a
1 p.m. awards ceremony concluding the event.
Dr. Paula Scraba, who organizes the event at St.
Bonaventure, said the concept of unified athletics builds a positive atmosphere
for athletes with and without disabilities. Students in Scraba’s senior forum
class help her organize the event.
“Unified Sports totally changed the culture in schools, helping
raise student self-esteem and confidence as well as proving mentoring
opportunities for all athletes,” she said. “Students (in her class at the
university) are given this ultimate opportunity to actually put into practice
the true meaning of servant leadership through sport. The title of the course —
Leadership through Special Olympics: serving, learning and leading — is exactly
that — for students to be trained as event managers for Special Olympics and to
now be able to go any place in the world to share their skills, gifts and
talents to make a difference.”
All community members are welcome to participate in the
Torch Run, which has a registration fee of $25 and includes an official event
T-shirt. Runners should arrive at the park by 8:30 a.m. and expect to run at
about a 10-minute-per-mile pace.
Those unable to run can participate by cheering along the
course or riding bicycles along the route. All are invited to remain at the
university and support the athletes in the competition.
For more information or to find out how to participate or
volunteer, contact Scraba at pscraba@sbu.edu..
Special Olympics New York focuses on providing year-round
sports training and competitions in a variety of Olympics-style sports for all
children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
