Special Olympics: a weekend of special memories
Betsy Ruf ‘01

The 2000 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival returned this year to Villanova University for the 12^th consecutive year. The last weekend of October was filled with triumphs, brave attempts, and, most of all, smiles.

Each year, more than 800 athletes, ages 8-82, and over 200 coaches from across Pennsylvania travel to Villanova University for state-level competition. With such statistics, the fact that Villanova’s Fall Festival is the largest student-run Special Olympics in the world is not surprising. Under the leadership of senior Tara Russell, festival director, a five-member student management team and a 60-member student committee, close to 3,000 volunteers from the Villanova community, the local community, and area corporations come together Oct. 27 to 29 to support and encourage the athletes.

The weekend event featured competitions in long-distance running, power lifting, roller-skating, soccer and volleyball. Competitions commenced Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and concluded Sunday morning. In addition to the athletic events, the committee has planned a variety of activities. Excitement kicked off in the Pavilion at 7:30 p.m. Friday night for the Opening Ceremonies. Participants saw the captain of the Philadelphia 76ers, Eric Snow, as the honorary chair for the evening, former Philadelphia Eagle and Villanova alumnus Kevin Reilly, who was be the featured speaker for the ceremony. The Villanova Gospel Ensemble also performed. Saturday was filled with exciting competition, a wild ride through Olympic Town on Sheehan Beach, and a Halloween dance for the athletes, coaches and volunteers. The Closing Ceremonies on Sunday marked a time of satisfaction, pride and, indeed, exhaustion.

The Festival thrives on the dedication and generosity of volunteers. The Festival Committee, with Tom Mogan, director of Student Development as advisor, planned since January every possible detail of the weekend: the competitions, registration, housing, special events, food, medical needs, and evaluation. Also crucial to a successful weekend were donations of on-campus services such as Dining Services and VEMS, which have contributed greatly. The festival would not exist without the volunteers who participated. Many athletes say that Villanova’s Fall Festival is their favorite. Competition chair Mark Sirolli credits the volunteers: "I think it’s because there is such an enthusiastic group of people. They bring a lot to the athletes. They’re always excited to be here and excited to participate."