A Great Day at the Rec

This morning marked our final day that we held our Rowan Unified Sports basketball league at the Rec Center this spring. It was somewhat bittersweet, because while we don't want to stop playing on Saturday mornings, it was also a celebration of what has been a great, inclusive experience so far.

The games had some great action today. We had some close games, and a handful of deep threes from some of our Athletes! The day was the fourth day of league play in the Rec with all of our athletes and partners, with a good amount of the group heading next weekend to Wildwood for the SONJ Spring Festival, and a Unified exhibition game Saturday night at the Convention Center.

With today being the final day on Rowan's campus, there were some pre-game ceremonies to celebrate the success and uniqueness of this new program and upstart club. Rowan is the first college in NJ to feature a Unified program, and believed to be the first in the country to establish a Unified sports club.

This morning we listened to speeches from Rowan President Ali Houshmand, SONJ President Marc Edenzon, TD Bank President and Rowan trustee Fred Graziano, and State Senate President/SONJ athlete parent Steve Sweeney share a few kind words with the athletes, partners, parents and staff in attendance.

Most importantly, we recognized the teams of the athletes and partners. This has been a great experience for everyone involved, but as great a concept as it was, it wouldn't have been possible if not for the college students who volunteered their time, or the athletes who we have been fortunate enough to become friends with the past few weeks. Another thank you is deserved to anyone who has helped this come to fruition in any way.
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Today was also our 'Media Day', and Unified has received some attention lately. We may post more links soon, but here are a few early ones worth checking out.

TriState Media
Jim Solomon posted some great pictures, with 12 directly on this page (and thank you Jim for the pic posted at the top of this blog entry). Also, click the red link below the pictures for over 100 more.

Rowan Today
This is a great piece, including several student testimonials, written by Rowan staff member Rosie Braude, who has been a great friend to the Rowan Unified Sports program and has helped in several ways. Thanks Rosie!

There was also a clip on Fox29 News, and if we can find video of that, we'll make sure to post that here as well. If you have any pictures or videos to share, please post them or tag Rowan Unified Sports on facebook!
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More info will also be coming either here or on facebook about next weekend at Wildwood, and future plans for Rowan Unified. We know we will be having basketball back next year, are looking to start soccer in the fall, and have other events as well throughout the year to keep the friendships going!

I Need A Break!

This entry is a recap from one of our coaches, Senior Artie Kaylor, from the game last Saturday, 2/25.

Within minutes the Golden Knights were down one Special Olympic athlete. Alex, playing the game with all his heart tripped and injured his finger. With a round of applause from the Rowan partners, the Special Olympic athletes and the fans Alex was off getting the assistance he needed.

The game must go on, right? Yes, but down one athlete meant the other two Special Olympic athletes were in for a long game. They did not know it at the time, but I was there to push every ounce of energy out of them I could. Playing four eight-minute quarters straight through without any substitutes is a task not many people can do! Well, let me tell you something. These athletes did it!

Mike and Antar on the Golden Nights gave me everything they had. They were running back and forth, getting rebounds, and dribbling the ball to their basket to take a shot. It was awesome! Then as the game entered the last few seconds of the 2nd quarter fatigue set in. Antar and Mike both were exhausted. "Coach, I need a break... my legs feel like they aren't there," said Mike.

I knew what he meant, but there was no taking him out of the game. Then a wise man gave me a vital tool! Use my time-outs, give them a break and encourage them to continue. Each time-out I would get the same words "I need a Break coach" from both Antar and Mike. I didn't know what to do. These athletes were playing so well and giving me everything they had. I really wanted to give them a break, but I didn't. Instead I would encourage them to continue and told them at the end of the game we would be on top and nothing could stop the Golden Knights!

Boy oh boy, how it felt each time these two athletes would say, "okay coach, I will do it for you". I need a break didn't matter to them anymore. They wanted to make me, their coach, happy. What a feeling that is when you know someone is hurting and really on the edge of giving up, but pushes on just because you believe in them! Let me say this, these two athletes have every bit of respect from me. They are true "go-getters" and I will spend every single Saturday morning on the courts with these athletes. I won't miss a minute, because it's not us, the Rowan students, teaching them. It's each and every Special Olympic athlete teaching us!

Thanks Golden Knights! Thanks for accepting me as your coach and teaching me how to be a better person each and everyday.

By: The Coach of the Golden Knights, Arthur Kaylor