The Corydon Democrat
Wednesday, August 8, 2001

Foundation grants special athletes a 'chance to try'

Harrison County Special Olympics was awarded a $4,388 grant from the Harrison County Community Foundation last fall to expand the existing program to include youth in surrounding communities. The HCCF grant made it possible to offer bowling, basketball, track and field, and snowshoeing to 21 young athletes in the county this past year.

The mission of the local Special Olympic program is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for youth with mental disabilities. The county program creates continuing opportunities for youth to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience the joy of achievement, be included in the community, build skills and make friends.

In the fall, part of the grant money was used to offer bowling at Colonial Lanes in Corydon. Evelyn McPherson coached the 14 athletes with the help of her assistants Aggie Hale, Betsy Talley and Janet Engleman,. The athletes competed in the area bowling tournament in Clarksville, where they earned three gold, four silver and four bronze medals. Eleven of them qualified for the state tournament in Indianapolis, where they were awarded three silver and two bronze medals.

Last winter, the grant money was used to purchase uniforms for a basketball team. Mike Wilburn and Sandy Neville coached the co-ed squad of 10 athletes. The team finished their first season with a record of 2-3, losing in the first round of the Henryville Sectional.

In January, grant money was used for 13 athletes who traveled to Paoli Peaks to participate in the Winter Games. Cheryl Taylor and Evelyn McPherson coached the athletes with the assistance of Alan Taylor, Alice McCollum and Connie Griffin. The athletes spent two days in training and competition in the 50 and 100-meter snowshoeing events. They were housed at the French Lick Spring Resort, where they made use of the domed outside pool and the hot tub. they brought home five gold, five silver and six bronze medals.

In the spring, grant money made it possible for 12 athletes to participate on the track and field team that was coached by Alan Taylor and Mike Wilburn. The athletes competed in the Area Games in Madison, where they were awarded five gold, nine silver and 10 bronze medals. Ten of the athletes traveled to Indiana State University in Terre Haute to participate in summer games. They brought home five gold medals, five silver and 13 bronze medals.

"The Harrison County Special Olympics athletes, their families and county committee want to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to the Board of Directors of the Harrison County Community Foundation for giving the Special Olympics Athletes a most precious prize: the chance to try, " said Evelyn McPherson, Outreach coordinator.