VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Haverford College Athletic Department was well-represented with numerous student-athletes volunteering their time at the 2019 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival hosted by Villanova University over the weekend. A total of 148 volunteers represented Haverford as every varsity team that was not competing this past weekend was in attendance.
An annual tradition of community service for Haverford Athletics, Villanova's festival is one of four statewide Special Olympics events. The event has evolved into the largest student-run Special Olympics event in the world.
Continuing its annual support, this same event last fall earned Haverford recognition as one of 53 Division III institutions who had at least 50 student-athletes participate in a Special Olympics event during the 2018-19 athletic year. The NCAA 50 for 50th Challenge came about as the Special Olympics celebrated its 50th anniversary in July 2018.
The Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) initiated the Special Olympics partnership at the 2011 NCAA Convention and officially launched the partnership on August 1, 2011. The purpose of the partnership is to enhance the lives of Division III student-athletes and Special Olympics athletes through a mutual learning experience; provide a platform for recognition of Special Olympics athletes and Division III student-athletes within their communities; and raise awareness of Special Olympics, its programs and services.
The Villanova Special Olympics volunteer effort, organized by Eighth Dimension, Haverford's Office of Community Service, and promoted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), is another example of the Haverford athletic department supporting the NCAA Division III Special Olympics initiative. The NCAA hopes the partnership with the Special Olympics will enhance the lives of Division III student-athletes and Special Olympics athletes through a mutual learning experience; provide a platform for recognition of Special Olympics athletes and Division III student-athletes within their communities; and raise awareness of Special Olympics, its programs and services.