SOU Athletics Partners with Special Olympics
ASHLAND -- The Southern Oregon University athletic department recently announced a partnership with Special Olympics Oregon - Jackson County.
As part of the partnership, SOU Athletics will be heavily involved in the annual Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics Oregon, and the Jackson County Chapter will be using some SOU facilities for practices and events.
"This is a natural fit for our student-athletes to support the athletes of Special Olympics," SOU athletic director Matt Sayre. "This is a relationship that will benefit both groups."
The annual Polar Plunge for Jackson County will take place Friday, Feb. 3, in Medford. SOU student-athletes will spend the month of January fundraising for the event.
Special Olympics Oregon - Jackson County basketball athletes will get a chance to shine in front of the SOU fans on Jan. 7, as they will play an exhibition game during halftime of the SOU-Oregon Tech women's basketball game. During that doubleheader, fans will be able to sign up and also donate to the Polar Plunge with Special Olympics Oregon - Jackson County team members in the McNeal Pavilion lobby.
During the Jan. 20 home basketball doubleheader against College of Idaho, SOU will donate one dollar for each admission ticket to the Polar Plunge.
Special Olympics Oregon - Jackson County used the SOU swimming pool during the fall, and according to local program coordinator Marie Cabler this was a huge plus for the Jackson County athletes.
"To be able to practice at one place for the whole year was a positive for a swimming program," Cabler said. "The team really improved as the year went along, and it really showed at the end."
Plans are also in the works to host a one-day Special Olympics tournament at Bob Riehm Arena on the SOU campus in January or February that would also include a clinic.
Jackson County Special Olympics athletes compete in volleyball, swimming and bowling in the fall, basketball, power lifting, skiing and snowboarding in the winter and track and field, softball, bocce ball, and golf in the spring.