NEW ORLEANS - For the young men who play basketball at the University of New Orleans, the time spent with the members of the Special Olympics is as much a part of the schedule as Southland Conference competition.
Three times during the calendar year that included this past Saturday, Coach
Mark Slessinger, his staff and student-athletes conduct basketball clinics for local Special Olympians, which could not be possible without the assistance of the Gretna Rotary Club. For three hours on a Saturday morning, 40 athletes received instruction in the finer points of the game.
"It's really an awesome time of growth for our student- athletes on a personal level to invest back in these athletes that in some respects are some of the best in the state," said Slessinger.
Besides working on basketball skills, the participants are given a tour of Lakefront Arena, including the locker room. A basketball game ---- complete with player introductions ---- is the culmination of the 3 hour session.
Senior guard Issac Mack says it's one of his favorite events of the year. "More people are starting to come out and they get into it more. I know the team had a good time," said the Indianapolis native.
"The basketball was fun," said
James Harrison, a freshman from Houston, Texas who experienced the clinic for the first time. "Just talking to them and having a good conversation is a good thing. They really have a sense of humor."
Thanks to the partnership between UNO Athletics and the Special Olympics, you can see tangible improvement of skills and self-confidence in the athletes who are regulars at the clinics.
Charles Courville, Special Olympics Director of Outreach and Area Management, says some of the aspects of the UNO Basketball Clinics have been picked up and promoted nationally.
"It means an inclusive environment where they are just playing with their friends and they are learning from people who are playing the game on a high level. There's no substitute for that."
An appreciative parent graciously told "Coach Sless" how impressed she was that the student-athletes humbled themselves to work with her child. For the coach, it was the best comment of the day.
"We are supposed to be servants; we are supposed to give back and be leaders, not just on campus but off. It's just a small piece to improve our city," added Slessinger.
Results of the game? Fortunately, the Special Olympians are not members of the Southland Conference. Final score: Specials Olympians 24 UNO Privateers 22.
