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HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College men's and women's basketball programs welcomed a group of Special Olympians to the Gooding '84 Arena on Tuesday, March 29. While on campus, the Delaware County Special Ol ympics team took part in a two-hour clinic with members of the men's and women's basketball squads and coaching staffs. 

The evening started with some skill instruction led by the Special Olympics staff and the Haverford program members. This eventually prepared the participants for competition against the varsity athletes to conclude the night with rounds of five-on-five play as well as three-on-three play.

"We were thrilled to finally be able to invite the Delaware County Special Olympics team back to Haverford this year," said head men's basketball coach Patrick Doherty. "We haven't been able to work with them for the past few years, and you could tell by the many smiles and high fives that they were excited to be back. It was a great evening and this was certainly one of the highlights of the spring for our men's and women's basketball programs."

The clinic is another example of Haverford's commitment to the NCAA Division III Special Olympics initiative. The NCAA encourages Division III student-athletes across the country to participate in existing Special Olympics  events, create their own events, or otherwise serve to support Special Olympics organization.

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.