Special
Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) held its first annual Western Pennsylvania Unified
Youth Summit on November 15th, during which it recognized Slippery Rock
University as a “Unified Sports Center of Excellence.”
SlipperyRock University graduate students from the Adapted Physical Activity program
manage Unified Champion School strategies in eight high schools in Mercer,
Butler and Lawrence Counties. They serve as coaches for the winter
Unified Indoor Bocce and spring Unified Track and Field programs, and work with
youth leaders on whole school engagement. Additionally, Slippery Rock is
piloting a Unified Fitness initiative on campus which pairs college students
with adult Special Olympics athletes for twice-a-week structured trainings.
Special
Olympics Unified Champion Schools is a comprehensive program of the Unified
Schools strategy that combines Unified Sports, Youth Leadership and Advocacy,
and Whole School Engagement within the school environment to generate awareness
and education activities that promote inclusion and reach the majority of the
school population. Click here to learn
more.
Pictured
(from left to right): Slippery Rock
University representatives Dr. James A. Preston -- Assistant to the Dean,
College of Education; Wendy Fagan – Instructor, Adapted Physical Activity
Program and VIP Sports Camp and Clinic Director; Dr. Keith Dils, Ed.D -- Dean,
College of Education; Dr. Robert Arnhold -- Director of the Center on Disability
and Health; and Matt Aaron – Special Olympics PA President and CEO.
