University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Swimming and Diving to Volunteer at Special Olympics Meet
9/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Sept. 28, 2010
HOUSTON - The University of Houston swimming and diving program will team up with the UH Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) to host the Special Olympics area swim meet on Saturday.
The Cougars will volunteer for the second year in a row with the Special Olympics meet, only this year the event will take place at their home facility. Sponsored and put on by the CRWC, head coaches Mark Taylor and Jane Figueiredo will bring their team to participate in the day's festivities.
"The Special Olympics is probably one of my favorite activities for our girls to be involved with," Taylor said. "It lets them see that there are others out there involved in our sport that can use our support and understanding. We all realize that at one time or another that we are not as able-bodied or able-minded as we could be. These people who are part of the Special Olympics don't have the choice as we, as able-bodied people, do. It's wonderful for our girls to give back to the community in such a worthwhile organization, so everyone has the opportunity to participate in such a great sport."
Check-in for participants will begin on Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m., and the events are scheduled throughout the day beginning at 9 a.m. and wrapping up at approximately 4 p.m.
Although the Special Olympians will compete in swimming-only events, all the Cougars will be on hand to help with time keeping and guiding the athletes to different areas and events.
"The involvement of the UH swimming and diving program is an amazing addition to the Special Olympics area swim meet," said Matt Wheeler, the Area Four Aquatics Competition Director for Special Olympics Texas. "Their knowledge of swimming, coupled with the enthusiasm that they bring is not only a learning tool for some of our volunteers that don't have swimming backgrounds, but is inspirational to the athletes, as well.
"We are very lucky to have the opportunity to utilize UH's world class swimming facility and are looking forward to our best swimming competition yet. That being said, I personally believe that there are a lot of learning experiences to go around, meaning that as much as our athletes are motivated and inspired by our volunteers, more often than not, our volunteers are just as inspired and motivated by our Special Olympics Athletes."
Former Cougars and current Olympic divers, Vera Ilyina, Anastasia Pozdniakova and Yulia Pakhalina will also attend the event on Saturday.
Fans are welcome and encouraged to attend. The Campus Recreation and Wellness Center is located on the University of Houston campus, on the corner of University Drive.
"We love fans in the stands," said Renee Klovenski, Greater Houston and Golden Triangle Program Director. "Most of our athletes don't have anyone to cheer for them so those people in the stands are just as important - if not more important - than those of us helping with timekeeping and putting the ribbons around their necks. The fan support is so welcomed and appreciated."
Players Mentioned
