Special Olympics Michigan basketball state finals return to WMU

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Nearly 500 athletes as well as coaches and chaperones are expected this year as Western Michigan University hosts the Special Olympics Michigan Unified Basketball State Finals on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Student Recreation Center. Unified basketball teams consist of players both with and without intellectual disabilities.

Through a collaborative effort among Special Olympics-Michigan, the staff members of University Recreation and the Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Phi Epsilon Kappa, the event is planned, staged and managed to support the 500 athletes, 100-plus volunteers and fans at the tournament. Phi Epsilon Kappa is a national honorary fraternity whose members are pursuing academic studies in physical education, coaching, athletic training, recreation, sport management and exercise science.

During the past 18 years, the members of Phi Epsilon Kappa have worked with Special Olympics to host the tournament. Many graduates return to the event annually with their own teams or to work as a volunteer as officials, team stewards, scorekeepers or court managers. This partnership has helped fraternity members develop leadership skills and network with other professionals as well as members of the community and the athletes and coaches.

Approximately 418 athletes will compete in this year’s Unified Basketball State Finals, marking the highest athlete turnout since 2011.

For more information, contact Lizzy Ohrnberger, president of Phi Epsilon Kappa, at elisabeth.a.ohrnberger@wmich.edu.

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