GREENWOOD, IND. -- Three Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology student-athletes were among nearly 40 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference representatives in a bowling activity with Special Olympics of Indiana athletes on Sunday.
The HCAC partnered with approximately 40 Special Olympics athletes from Johnson County for an afternoon at the Expo Bowl in Indianapolis. The event also helped mark a conclusion to NCAA Division III Week.
Rose-Hulman student-athletes Andrew Podgorski, Marie Stettler and Sheree Williams represented Fightin' Engineer student-athletes at the event. Stettler was also elected President for the conference Student-Athlete Advistory Committee (SAAC) for the 2012-13 academic year.
The bowling activity followed the annual HCAC SAAC spring meeting, which was held at Valle Vista Golf Club in Greenwood, Indiana. Louise McCleary, Director of NCAA Division III, was in attendance and delivered a presentation on the Division's Identity Initiative and partnership with Special Olympics to the student-athletes.
"I am very pleased that we are able to partner with Special Olympics," says HCAC Commissioner, Chris Ragsdale. "The timing of this event fit perfectly with the conclusion of NCAA Division III Week and helped further expand the conference's community outreach efforts with Special Olympics. Today's event has been designed specifically to promote and challenge our membership to continue their own outreach with Special Olympics."
At the event, student-athletes from the HCAC exchanged a gift from their institution with their Special Olympic athlete pair to help commemorate the event.
"It is a rare and very special moment when you are able to create a sporting event (bowling) where Special Olympic athletes and intercollegiate athletes are able to share a competitive experience. The experience of sharing in the joy and excitement of competition together is a moment neither group will soon forget," added Ragsdale.