Special Olympics Again Huge Success At SUNY Canton

More than 100 Special Olympians accompanied by over 200 SUNY Canton student-athletes and volunteers of the community took part in the 2017 New York State Special Olympics Summer Games on Saturday on SUNY Canton's campus.

This was the sixth straight year the institution hosted the North Country Region's games. The day began with the opening parade as the Olympians entered the track in the field house through a Roos tent and took a lap around to the roar of enthusiastic cheers that filled the Roos House. SUNY Canton President Dr. Zvi Szafran officially declared the North Country RegionSummer Games open.

The competition began shortly after 10 a.m. and consisted of approximately 15 events including track and field events such as 25, 50 100 and 200 meter walk and runs, softball and javelin throws, bean bag toss, soccer kicks and basketball skill events and games. The events took place inside the Roos House, inside the ice arena and the turf field. The event continues to be a tremendous experience for the Special Olympians, the SUNY Canton Athletics department and the community as a whole.

SUNY Canton would like to give a special thank you to its student-athletes, coaches and members of the athletics department, Canton Mayor Mike Dalton, Canton Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley and NYS Assemblywoman Addie Jenne, NYS troopers, including trooper Rob Larabee who sang the national anthem, the SUNY Canton Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Janet Parcell-Mitchell and her students from the Health and Fitness Promotions major, Deb Molnar and her students from the Physical Therapist Assistant major, Beth Demo and all of the Special Olympics volunteers and coaches and the SUNY Canton College Association for making and delivering lunch to the more than 300 people participating.

"It is one of the best days of the year for us," said Athletic Director Randy B. Sieminski. "I'm extremely proud of the participation of our student-athletes, faculty, staff and volunteers. Over the years we continue to get to know more Special Olympians and it makes the relationship that much more rewarding. This day always sticks out as one of the most satisfying experiences for our student-athletes and they always remember the relationships they have created with the Special Olympians."