WAVERLY, Iowa -- Wartburg held its 21st annual Unified Sports Day on Saturday, Feb. 9 with 130 volunteers and 90 special athletes registered for the day. Wartburg teamed up with Special Olympics Iowa and the Waverly Kiwanis Club again this year to put on another successful event.



The Waverly Kiwanis Club assisted with many aspects of the day including serving the volunteers and athletes lunch. The Wartburg Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was the campus sponsor for this event as part of the NCAA Division III Special Olympics partnership.

There were 20 stations of activities for the Special Olympic Athletes such as soccer, baseball, basketball, bowling, bocce ball, ladder golf, bag toss, musical chairs, golf, parachute, dodgeball, frisbee, and a craft table where the athletes made picture frames. Each team spent time at every station and the day ended with a big basketball game and awards ceremony for the athletes. Everyone took a sack lunch to go that was provided by Kiwanis volunteers.

A new addition this year, was every Sunday and Thursday since December, SAAC members assisted at the Special Olympics practices for track, basketball, and softball in Waverly. They worked on skills needed for these sports.

On Sunday, Feb. 3, SAAC members also served as greeters and made waffles at the East Bremer Diner to raise awareness about the annual Unified Sports Day. The East Bremer Diner generously donated a portion of the proceeds to Unified Sports Day.

"I wanted to continue my involvement in SAAC as Unified Sports Day is one of the coolest events we sponsor," said track and field member Erica Rittgers. "This event allows us to share our enjoyment in athletics while focusing on someone other than ourselves."

"Unified Sports Day continues to be one day out of the year where we celebrate the abilities of amazingly brave human beings," said football player Connor Frerichs." Every year, I find myself enjoying talking and interacting with the athletes more and more. This goes beyond their capabilities from event to event, but to learn and appreciate their best qualities. Just like everyone else, athletics isn't everyone's strength. Their strengths often shine through smiling constantly, laughing, dancing to the music, and having a good time. Unified Sports Day offers a safe environment for all of these traits to come out and be appreciated by a multitude of college students. 
 
"This was my favorite Unified Sports Day since I have been at Wartburg," he continued. "The amount of energy and excitement brought by the unprecedented amount of athletes and student volunteers was electric and unmatched."


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