NEW ORLEANS, La. – In an effort to show support for the Special Olympics, Privateers men's basketball coach
Mark Slessinger will rappel down Benson Tower in downtown New Orleans on Friday.
Coach Slessinger will be participating in the Over the Edge program, which raises money for the Special Olympics in Louisiana. Over the Edge involves having a participant reaching a minimum donation of $1,000 for him or her to rappel down the 25 story Benson Tower across the street from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Slessinger has raised well over $3,000 for his efforts and will stride down the nearly 265 foot high-rise building.
"Our basketball program has benefited so much from having the incredible opportunity to work with these courageous athletes," said Slessinger on his Over the Edge donations webpage. "The Special Olympics works very hard to create extraordinary environments for these athletes to grow as people, teammates, and athletically, and their cause is dear to me."
Slessinger has been a well-spoken supporter for the Special Olympics, and he and the Privateers even welcomed Special Olympians for a basketball clinic at the Lakefront Arena in September. The Over the Edge event on Friday is another way that Slessinger continues to reach out to the community outside the basketball court.
"I will rappel from the tower to help show my support for these awesome athletes that I am blessed to coach and work with," said Slessinger on his page. "Being able to be a small part of this wonderful project is humbling and a great honor that I hope you can be a part of too."
Donations can be made by clicking
Mark Slessinger/2013-nola-over-the-edge1">here and you can find more information on the Louisiana Special Olympics website laso.org.
