July 1, 2010
What: Special Olympics Golf & Auction
When/Where: July 18-19 at Four Hills Country Club
Contact: Special Olympics at 505-856-0342
By Richard Stevens – Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
It is a sport with no full-ride scholarships or fan-filled gyms. It’s an Olympic competition that doesn’t grab the attention of the world or bring in multi-million dollar TV contracts. But it should.
The Special Olympics are competition at a pure and basic level where the athletes gain as much from the joy of the opportunity as they do in winning. In the Special Olympics, there truly is no loser because the gift is just being there.
In these games, laughter and smiles are the trophies to be cherished. Lobo men’s basketball coach Steve Alford expects to come away with more than a few trophies when he participates in the Special Olympics Golf Classic and Sports Auction Dinner on July 18-19 at the Four Hills Country Club.
“It is my privilege to be around this type of athlete,” said Alford, who took the UNM program to back-to-back Mountain West titles. “Go to a Special Olympics event and you see everything that is right in athletics and everything that is right in an athlete.
“There is a dedication and a courage you see in these athletes that you don’t always get to see. They have such a passion for what they do and the smallest success gives them so much excitement and joy. They put their heart and soul into their sport and I think all coaches would like to see their players with that depth of passion.
“And their joy isn’t just for themselves. They are cheering just as hard for the person next to them to succeed. Their determination to be successful and to share success is inspiring.”
The tournament portion of the Special Olympics will feature some competition on the rolling hills of the Four Hills Country Club. If you have ever played in this tourney, you know the Olympians are looking for success. But this also is a fund-raiser, a chance to support a special group of athletes. Alford has been doing it since 1984.
“I first got involved in Special Olympics when I returned home after being an Olympian (1984 Games),” said Alford. “There was a lot of passion for the Olympics and I volunteered to help with Special Olympics. I just fell in love with it.”
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“Go to a Special Olympics event and you see everything that is right in athletics and everything that is right in an athlete.” Lobo Coach Steve Alford |
Says Olympian Ryan Hanson: “Steve Alford is an amazing coach. I love the Lobos and had a lot of fun meeting coach and playing golf at Four Hills Country Club with him and my Special Olympics friends. I want to say ‘thank you’ to Coach Alford and the Lobos for supporting me and my Special Olympics friends and helping us compete in sports. Go Lobos.”
Special Olympics-New Mexico provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with developmental disabilities. It provided them with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness demonstrate courage, and experience the joy of competition.
It also is a program that emphasizes reaching out to others. As much as anything, Special Olympics are about sharing and friendship.
“Competing in Special Olympics has always meant the world to me,” said Olympian Ryan Sinatra. “I love watching sports, but I would much rather be playing them. I am extremely grateful that the Lobos are fans of me and my fellow Special Olympicsathletes. They help make it possible for us to play sports as well.”
The auction/dinner will be held July 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be both a silent and live auction. The golf tourney has a scramble format with a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start and a two-person, best-ball format with a 1 p.m. start. The entry fee includes dinner tickets, green fees, golf cart, complimentary beverages, tees and markers, refreshments, lunch – and a priceless experience with Special Olympians.
“Special Olympics of New Mexico is honored to have this partnership with UNM and the support of Lobo coach Steve Alford,” said Oscar Solis, director of public relations. “His presence and the Lobos involvement enhance our reach throughout the state and strengthen the quality and the image of our program as a sports organization.”
For further tourney information, call Special Olympics at 505-856-0342.
Editor’s Note: Richard Stevens is a former Associate Sports Editor and sport columnist for The Albuquerque Tribune. You can reach him at rstevens50@comcast.net.