SMU’s Interfraternity Council hosted the fourth annual Greater Dallas Special Olympics Volleyball Tournament Saturday.
The single elimination tournament featured 24 local teams and 150 fraternity volunteers. It took place at the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports and Highland Park Presbyterian Church.
IFC President Josh Ball welcomed the volunteers and athletes lined along the sides of the gymnasium during the opening ceremony. Sigma Phi Epsilon member Skylar Mastain sang the national anthem before one of the athletes led the others in the Special Olympics pledge.
Fraternity members helped cheer on the athletes, officiate the games, keep scores and sign in teams. With the help of Student Senate they were able to make T-shirts and provide a lunch for each athlete.
Special Olympics Area Director Amy O’Rear said she is excited to be able to use SMU’s wonderful facilities and hopes that SMU can become a greater venue for events and recruiting volunteers.
Lambda Chi Alpha member Will Noll coached the athletes on bumping, serving, spiking and other volleyball skills.
“I think one of the best things is to be able to help people who can’t help themselves,” Noll said.
Teams are organized within each community through the school district or a parks and recreation group of athletes at least 8 years old. Each team plays a series of short games to evaluate the athletic ability of its members. Teams are then matched up to play against other teams at their level. There are also individual skill competitions for lower level players.
At Special Olympics tournaments athletes rotate in and out of positions on the court to ensure that everyone gets fair playing time. Good sportsmanship and camaraderie are the dominant emotions.
“They really care for each other,” said Noll, “they clapped and gave high-fives even to the other team.”
The Fort Worth Flames was one of the teams competing Saturday. The Flames began competing after the Fort Worth Independent School District organized the team in 1963. Over the years the athletes wanted to continue to play even after they had graduated from high school. Now, the team is one of the only in the area to have adult athletes.
Linda Lopez is one of the five volunteer coaches of the Flames. She said her team participates not only in volleyball but five other sports as well. They practice at least two times a week and up to five times in the fall. The Flames attend three major athletic tournaments in Texas each year and do all the fundraising themselves.
