By Earl Scott

The Aggies and Special Olympians mix it up on the Taggart plaza Tuesday. / Photo by Earl Scott

The Utah State Special Olympic basketball team combined with players from the men's and women's USU basketball teams to play for a supportive crowd Tuesday afternoon on the Taggart Student Center Plaza.

The Special Olympic team had male and female players from 10 to 20 years old. One of them, Bradley Judy, said he was ready for the game.

"We always play good against these guys," Judy said. "I'm ready to go."

USU mascot Big Blue was on hand to cheer and take a few shots with the Special Olympians during halftime.

The Special Olympians divided into two teams with the Aggie players spread
equally between both sides.

The Special Olympics team hustled up and down the court, making passes,
shooting the open shot and showed their competitive fire. They scolded each
other for bad passes and congratulated their teammates for good plays.

While the varsity players showed their ball-handling skills. they were more interested in encouraging and having fun with the kids.

Center Mike Ahmad dunked a few to the pleasure of the Special Olympians and the crowd, while encouraging the Special Olympians during the game.

"This is my third year with these kids," Ahmad said. "I really enjoy playing ball with them. It's a lot of fun."

Ahmad's biggest fan was Special Olympian Trisha Lee. Ahmad set a couple of screens for her and stole a few extra rebounds to give her a few more shots.

"Mikes a great guy," a beaming Lee said. "I really like playing basketball
with him." Lee held Ahmad's hand as they ran up and down the court.

Freshman basketball player Christina Zdenek, who arrived in Logan on Saturday, enjoyed the game.

"This is great. It's a chance for me to meet new people and for the kids to
meet new people," she said. "It allows the kids to feel like one of us."

Although there was an official scorekeeper, there were no losers in the game. The winners were the athletes and spectators at the game, as evidenced by the many hugs and high-fives.

Kristen Arzani, head of Delegations for the USU Special Olympics, was excited by the size of the crowd and their support of the athletes.

The game was to raise awareness of the Special Olympics program as well as 15 others at the USU Service Center. The Special Olympians look forward to this game like none other, Arzani said. "It's their favorite game of the year."

Arzani said the program needs more volunteers. Those interested may attend the Special Olympians' practices at 9 a.m. Saturdays in the HPER building.

For more information about becoming a volunteer for any of the programs, visit http://servicecenter.usu.edu.

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