West Virginia Universitys 500-yard dash has turned into a long-distance run now that its three-year bid to host the statewide Special Olympic games has been extended.
WVU would have completed its contract to host the annual statewide Special Olympic games next month when it welcomes more than 700 athletes to the 32nd annual games to Morgantown June 9-11.
Due to the success of the games at the WVU site, the games will continue to be held in Morgantown for at least the next year, said Deborah Fusco, assistant to the vice president for Institutional Advancement.
“The Special Olympic Committee that accepted WVUs bid believed that the University had much to offer the athletes in terms of facilities and volunteers to help coordinate the games,”Fusco said.”Considering these factors, WVU seemed to be the best choice.”
WVU has been host to the games and hundreds of athletes from across the state since 1997 when it won a three-year bid, Fusco added.
“This has been a tremendous experience for all of us who have taken the time to get involved with the games,”she said.”Participating in such a central way to such a wonderful event has meant a great deal to the many volunteers and community members who attended.”
For those who were unable to participate in the previous games, Nancy Moore, WVUs Special Olympics volunteer coordinator, said new and returning volunteers are sought.
“We are looking for more than 1,200 volunteers to help coordinate this years games,”she said.”We invite previous volunteers as well as newcomers to fill out a registration form and join us.”
Volunteer are needed to be athlete buddies, buddy leaders, and to help coordinate opening and closing ceremonies.”We also need volunteers to work in the Olympic Village and to serve meals to the athletes, among other activities,”Moore said.
“We call it work, but really it is a lot of fun helping these very special athletes,”Moore added.”I cant think of anyone whos volunteered who didnt have anything but good things to say about participating.”
More than 700 athletes from around the state are expected to converge on Morgantown for the games which will be held at various locations this year including White Park, Mountaineer Stadium, Riverfront Park, and behind the Coliseum and Shell Building.
Walk-up volunteers also will be taken throughout the weekend, Moore said. And WVU employees who volunteer for activities on Friday, June 9, can do so without taking leave time, she added, with approval of ones supervisor.
For more information, or to volunteer or request a registration form, call the toll-free hotline at 1-888-988-2269, or download the form from http://nis.wvu.edu/newsroom/soforms.htm