UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 25, Page 1
March 24, 1994
Special Olympics facility planned near Field House

     Delaware Special Olympics will build its first-ever training,
education and program center on land provided by the University adjacent to
Delaware Field House near Delaware Stadium, the group announced at a news
conference March 18.
     "Special Olympics is dedicated to helping hundreds of athletes with
mental retardation achieve their dreams of self-fulfillment," according to
Paul E. DiSabatino, president of Ernest E. DiSabatino & Sons. Inc.,
building fund-raising chairperson. "This new training, education and
program center will help them realize these goals today and make even
greater strides tomorrow."
     Ann Grunert, Delaware Special Olympics executive director, said the
approximately 5,000-square-foot facility will provide training for nearly
900 children and adults with mental retardation, helping them make the most
of their physical abilities.
     Grunert acknowledged the 20-year partnership between the University
and the charitable athletic organization and recognized the University's
generosity and commitment to Special Olympics athletes.
     The University's involvement began in 1974, according to Keith
Handling, associate professor of physical education and head athletic
trainer, who has served on the Special Olympics board of directors for 20
years.
     In 1974, students from Handling's "Adaptive Physical Education" class
began applying knowledge they received in the classroom by working with
Delaware Special Olympics athletes through personal contact, physical
training and organizing athletic events.
     During the last two decades, the University's involvement has
expanded, Handling said, and remains very close. At present, University
staff and students volunteer to conduct three Delaware Special Olympics
program annually-soccer in the fall, basketball in the spring and the
summer games.
     At the news conference, University President David P. Roselle said the
long-term association has been a "thoroughly enriching experience for the
University of Delaware, for our faculty, staff and administration to be
involved with the Special Olympics. We are pleased that we can continue
this relationship and we are very pleased that the Board of Trustees voted
unanimously in favor of allowing you to build your new home on our campus
and have use of our facilities."
     With the completion of the new facility, Grunert said, Special Olympic
athletes will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including weight
rooms, practice fields and locker rooms throughout the year.
     According to Grunert the new center will offer several advantages,
including:

        * Improved athletic programs through availability of University
          facilities and personnel that will enhance both coaching and
          volunteer training;
        * Greater visibility of Delaware Special Olympics that will aid
          recruitment efforts, increase athlete participation and promote
          the  perception of Special Olympics as a legitimate sports
          entity; and
        * A long-term home for the Delaware Special Olympics program.

     The new building will house a reception area, five offices, a
utility/work room, storage room, multipurpose training room and conference
room.
     Friday's announcement also kicked off the Delaware Spcial Olympics
capital campaign, which seeks a minimum of $750,000 from a variety of
sources, including the general public, foundations, corporations, banks and
other businesses-$500,000 of these funds will be used in construction of
the new center, with the remaining $250,000 will be used for a building
maintenance fund.
     Delaware Special Olympics began in 1971 with a few hundred athletes
who competed in two sports. Today, nearly 900 athletes train and compete in
15 Olympic-type sports, including aquatics, basketball, bowling, figure
skating, long-distance running and soccer.
     In addition, there are 3,000 volunteers who support every aspect of
the Special Olympics cause, from coaching athletes and managing events to
fund raising and public relations.
     Groundbreaking for the new complex is planned for June, with
completion of construction scheduled during the winter of 1995.
                                                  -Ed Okonowicz