FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of Emmanuel Athletics Communications

BOSTON, Mass. – On Sunday, November 9, the Emmanuel College Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) teamed up with several varsity athletic teams as well as EC Superfans club members to sponsor a morning soccer clinic for members of the Boston Public Schools Special Olympics chapter. The event ran from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and featured a great turnout of student-athletes, special Olympians, coaches, spectators and supporters.

Roughly 30 elementary and middle school Special Olympians were in attendance for the clinic while over 100 members of the Emmanuel community came together to make the event possible.

Members of the Boston Public Schools Special Olympics chapter arrived eager and excited to hit the gym floor with the Emmanuel student-athletes for a drills and skills session that featured five circuits. Led by the EC Men's & Women's varsity soccer teams, the Olympians tackled skills challenges such as dribbling, juggling, shooting and passing.

EC SAAC Advisor and Head Men's Basketball Coach Jamahl Jackson was instrumental in the event's success, helping coordinate the date with the Boston Public Schools Special Olympics Coordinator, Mark Spolidoro.

"It was such a rewarding morning for everyone involved in the event," said Jackson. "Our student-athletes and volunteers did an amazing job. We hope to have them back in the spring for another clinic!"

These types of events have been going on in the Boston Special Olympics chapter for almost 20 years now and one parent on site commented that this was her 17th year participating and the Emmanuel clinic was hands down the best event she'd been a part of.

Senior men's volleyball player Ashanti Jackson was in attendance for the clinic and reiterated what a great time the event was for everyone there.

"It was amazing to provide a medium of inspiration to the kids," said Jackson. "To let someone else feel what we as student-athletes can enjoy every day was unbelievably special. It was great to see an athlete experience their passion."