Fall Unified Sports Update

This fall has been a great continuation of the Unified Sports basketball league started last spring at Rowan University. At the end of the basketball season, Rowan Unified Sports began developing as a Sport Club at Rowan, and developed plans to continue in the Fall with a soccer league. Soccer picked up where basketball left off, and Unified Sports is going strong again in Glassboro.

Rowan Unified Soccer has consisted of four teams playing in a league format on Sunday mornings on Rowan's Intramural Field, located outside of the Rec Center. The teams are made up of a mix of Rowan students (partners) and Special Olympics athletes. At the interest meetings for the Rowan students before the season, there were plenty of students looking to be involved in the club, so there have also been additional coaches, volunteers, and officials helping on a weekly basis.

Unified Soccer has been a good mix of returners from the basketball league, as well as a bunch of new faces, as Unified Sports has spread and more people have been looking to be involved in this unique and rewarding experience. After a day of Skills Assessment, the players were divided into their current four teams, Field Stompers, Creepers, Cold Black and Mega Kingdom, all names picked by members of the teams.

The soccer games have been taking place outside on the IM Field on Sundays at 11am and Noon, with a few exceptions. On one Sunday, Mother Nature literally rained on our plans, canceling games but allowing for an impromptu pickup soccer game inside the Rec Center gym for the 20 or so teammates who showed up. And last night, Saturday October 20th, Rowan Unified held its first 'Saturday Night Lights', playing two games on campus at 7pm. A great crowd of friends and family members came to check out the action.

Next Sunday, October 28th, Unified Soccer will draw to a close with a playoff tournament, including two semifinal games at 11am, followed by a championship and consolation game at Noon. We hope to see you there!

A few other news and notes regarding Rowan Unified Sports:

-On Monday October 15th, members of Rowan Unified traveled to the Special Olympics Sports Complex in Lawrenceville to take part in a gym dedication to Sargent Shriver. The partners and athletes participated in a Unified Basketball exhibition game, following a ceremony with words from Special Olympics Global Messengers and Mark Shriver.

-Some members of the club are planning an outing to a Rowan Football game on Saturday November 3rd to see the Profs take on Kean University.

-On Saturday November 10th, the Rowan Rec Center will be hosting a 'Miles for Medals 5k and Mile Walk', which will serve as a fundraiser for local athletes of Special Olympics New Jersey. This event is open to anyone to come participate, and we would love to have all athletes, partners, friends and family members come and join in this event. Last year's event was the start of the Rec's partnership with SONJ, and laid the foundation for Rowan Unified, so we hope to see you come celebrate this occasion. Cost will be $15 per person.

-Shortly following the soccer playoffs, members of the club will be meeting to solidify dates and times for Unified Basketball. As soon as information is finalized, we will communicate to everyone so we can start planning and a countdown!

That's all the news and updates for today. Thanks for reading and continue to Play Unified, Live Unified!

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-Rowan Unified