UT Dallas Hosts SOTX for "Athletes for Athletes" Day

By UT Dallas S.I.D

Special Olympics Texas athletes joined 75 student-athletes from UT Dallas.

Athletes from the local Special Olympics Texas chapter joined 75 UT Dallas student-athletes Sunday afternoon for an "Athletes for Athletes" event, held in conjunction with the NCAA's National Student-Athlete Day and Division III Week celebration.

The Special Olympics athletes were included in the pre-game introductions prior to UTD's softball doubleheader with Mississippi College, including running out on the field and throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Afterwards, the athletes joined the UTD student-athletes on the multi-purpose field for bocce ball games and other activities.

All participants were treated to a pizza lunch, and finished the afternoon in the bleachers cheering on the Comet softball team.

"Our student-athletes really wanted to do something more with Student-Athlete Day this year than just get together and eat," said event organizer Kelli Davis, sponsor of the UTD Student-Athlete Advisiory Committee. "They've been looking for ways to get more involved with the community and inviting Special Olympics Texas to join us seemed a logical opportunity. I really think the Special Olympics athletes had a great time, and I know our kids did as well. It was nice getting to give back."

The event was sponsored by the UTD Intercollegiate Athletics Department, Student-Athlete Advisory Committe and Student-Athlete Affairs.