Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Host Special Olympics Clinic
October 11, 2012 | Cowboy Basketball
Oct. 11, 2012
Stillwater, Okla. — Oklahoma State's Cowboy Basketball team hosted nearly 200 Special Olympic athletes and coaches in what has become an annual clinic inside Gallagher-Iba Arena on Wednesday afternoon.
"We always enjoy hosting the Special Olympians," head coach Travis Ford said. "It's become an annual event for the basketball program. It's so much fun to see the smiles on the faces of all the kids and how much they enjoy just playing basketball and being around our players. You can tell they love being in Gallagher-Iba Arena; when they walk in, their eyes just light up. It's fun to see them smile and it's great to see them having so much fun, and that's what it's all about."
The athletes participated in shooting and passing drills with OSU coaches and players at different stations. Meanwhile, representatives from Oklahoma State Athletics handed out bags, frisbees and bag tags courtesy of Southwest Dairy Farmers, plus shirts courtesy of Special Olympics Oklahoma and the Big 12 Conference.
"Our players did a great job of spending time with them, teaching them how to dribble and shoot the ball, and then giving them autographs afterwards," said Ford. "It was a great chance to give back to some people who are very much appreciated."
Children from across the state, including Stillwater, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Enid and Newkirk, participated in the clinic, which was well-attended by the Cowboy basketball players, including Marcus Smart, Kamari Murphy, Christien Sager, Jéan-Paul Olukemi, Alex Budke and Kirby Gardner.
