Wingate Special Olympics Field Day Recognized with NCAA Award

INDIANAPOLIS - Wingate University's Special Olympics Field Day is one of 26 conference and independent winners of the 2014 Division II Award of Excellence, recognizing events and activities which exemplify the type of community engagement the division emphasizes. The theme for the event allows the WU football team to introduce the Union County Special Olympians to the sport of football. The Olympians visit several activity stations. In addition, weight lifting and agility components are included.

"We believe it is important for our student-athletes to be involved in community volunteer activities outside the University setting," Wingate vice-president and director of athletics Steve Poston says. "We are so proud of the football team's 10 years with the Special Olympics Field Day program."

"The Special Olympians look forward to this day...and we know our student-athletes look forward to it as well," Poston says. "Any time we do a program like this...there are reciprocal blessings. Our football student-athletes appreciate (more) the opportunities they have to earn an education and play the sport they love."

The 2013 event marked the 10th anniversary of Wingate's Special Olympics Field Day. Twenty-five to 30 Special Olympians attended this year's event on August 31, 2013. Wingate's Director of Sport Performance Shawn Barrett led the group in warm-up exercises after introductions. The activity stations followed warm-ups. Wingate's 56 freshmen cheered for the Olympians from the bleachers. The sophomores, juniors and seniors (and coaches) were on the field, encouraging, helping and high-fiving.

"This program is important because of two things: the impact it has on our guys and the impact it has on the Special Olympians," Wingate head football coach Joe Reich says. "As a coaching staff, it is our job to help our student-athletes develop as men of character, substance and impact. Any event like this helps us accomplish this mission."

Wingate sophomore linebacker Eric Mapoles (Snellville, Ga.) believes the day brings everyone joy. "It is amazing to see the joy God can bring to collegiate athletes from the joy of others," Mapoles says. "After the Olympians finish a drill and all the players are cheering for them, it is awesome to see the happiness the Olympians express."

"The Special Olympics Field Day is a day the whole team seems to truly enjoy," Mapoles says. "After a long pre-season, many of the players are worn down and tired. When the Olympians arrive at our facilities, everyone seems to be extremely excited. I believe this excitement stems from the joy these Olympians express."

The 26 conference and independent winners of the 2014 Division II Award of Excellence are each awarded $500 for the event or activity in which they were recognized. Examples of events the award seeks to recognize include activities associated with Division II partner Make-A-Wish, military appreciation, community engagement, game environment, student-athlete leadership development and educational programming. Lindenwood (Mo.) University won the top 2014 prize for its efforts to raise money and awareness for the cause of Sterling Thomas, a LU football player who suffered a serious spinal cord injury in October, 2012.

Wingate assistant coach and offensive coordinator Mike Long oversees community engagement activities for the Bulldog football team. He founded the Special Olympics Field Day 10 years ago. "Mike Long does a great job running this event for us," Reich says. "His impact on our program over the years has been immeasurable. He's done a fabulous job running the offense, is a great recruiter and runs all of our Community Service programs."

Mapoles believes one cannot underestimate the impact the Special Olympics Field Day program has on Wingate's football student-athletes. "At the end of the day, it seems as if the Olympians teach our team more than we teach them," Mapoles says. "Our team and the Olympians leave the day with great joy and warm hearts."

- Wingate media relations