Exhibition a slam dunk for Special Olympics program – Chicago Tribune
Players for West Lake Dunk Squad ran onto the hardwood on a recent Saturday afternoon at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond eager to show off their skills during halftime of the women’s basketball game.
They were one of four Lake County Special Olympics basketball teams that would hit the floor for a quick exhibition game to raise awareness for Special Olympics of Northwest Indiana, part of a renewed outreach effort by the organization and its new Lake County coordinator Teresa Parker. Four teams comprised of teens and adults 16 years old and older showed off their skills and their competitive natures in the exhibition.
There are 13 teams in the organization, three high school and younger, and 10 for teens into adulthood, Parker said. Currently the organization has about 400 Special Olympic athletes in the program, though only about 150 to 200 actively participate in the Special Olympic programs. Special Olympics serves individuals age 8 up to 99.
“We’d like to get more athletes out there,” Parker said.
Chants of “Paulie, Paulie, Paulie” erupted from the Dunk Squad bench as Paul Daniele, 21, of St. John, made a successful play. It was a proud moment for Joe Daniele as the team’s coach and as Paul’s dad. His son Dominic, 24, also plays on the team. When Paul first started with the team, he would simply move up and down the court, Daniele said. He watched both his sons’ confidence and participation build over his couple years of involvement.
“Who knows what can happen over two or three years,” Daniele said after the game.
Daniele started coaching about four years ago, when Paul and Dominic aged out of youth programs and needed an activity that was fun and gave them an opportunity to socialize with their peers. He said the lack of organized opportunities for special needs adults are frustrating.
Special Olympics gives these older teens and adults valuable social interaction.
“Special Olympics gives them the opportunity to do this, to continue to be friends,” Daniele said. “You see guys walking around and palling around,” Daniele said pointing out a group of young men from one of the teams walking around the gymnasium concourse, talking and laughing.
While it is fun for the participants, it also is competitive.
George Scalchas, 29, of St. John, has been playing with the Dunk Squad for three years.
“I like to play,” Scalchas said, adding he likes to be with his friends and to keep energetic. He also likes the competition.
“I play to get our team to state, like Rudy,” Scalchas said, referring to Daniel E. “Rudy” Ruettiger, the former Notre Dame player who was a walk-on for the Fighting Irish in 1993. That competition carries over to his love for sports in general. While he had a good time playing at Purdue Northwest, he wanted his allegiance known.
“It’s Notre Dame, not Purdue,” Scalchas said.
JessieAnn Marie Eakins, 23, of Cedar Lake, was one of a handful of female players on the co-ed teams.
“I love sports. I love making friends,” Eakins said. Her dad, Ken Eakins, said the program gives his daughter something to do to get her out of the house and having fun.
“She enjoys it and I enjoy watching her,” he said.
Parker said there are myriad opportunities for participants of all ages to take advantage of Special Olympics programming. Most people associate the organization with the annual Special Olympics competitions, but the programming is available throughout the year. Activities are widely varied and include things like bowling, basketball, volleyball, track and field and even snowshoeing.
“We even had bocce ball for the first time this year,” Parker said.
She would like to increase participation in the sports and encourages individuals to volunteer. Working with the organization as a volunteer is a way for high school students and athletes to earn community service hours. Daniele said he would like to get college athletes to help coach.
“We’d like to get more people involved,” Parker said. “Some people don’t even know we are out there.”
Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
How to get involved
For information about participating in Special Olympics programming or becoming a volunteer, contact Teresa Parker at 219-613-7284 or via email at solakecounty@yahoo.com.
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