DETROIT (4/13/2017) -- There were plenty of smiles and excitement all around as the University of Detroit Mercy Department of Athletics hosted a Special Olympics Day on campus.
Over 75 students came from all over Michigan as part of the Special Olympics of Michigan and they were greeted by Titan student athletes, coaches and staff.
"We are so grateful of the University of Detroit Mercy for hosting our kids," said Anne Rogers, Director of Unified School Initiatives at the Special Olympics of Michigan. "Our athletes were really excited to be part of the day. They are learning new skills and having fun and they love interacting with the student-athletes."
The day consisted of the participants learning skills of four different sports in basketball, soccer, tennis and track.
It all started with an introduction from head men's basketball coach
Bacari Alexander '99 and then the individuals broke up into four groups as they rotated through different sports stations.
"It is really important to help give back and we are a community based school at the University of Detroit Mercy," said women's soccer sophomore
Molly Kane. "Everyone that comes out to our games and events, they are giving to us. It's great to give back to them and really get involved in our community and build that community relationship because we are here in Detroit."
"Seeing the smiles on all of these kids faces, they are having a ball out there," said men's tennis junior
Nathan Ponton. "None of them said they ever played (tennis) before so to show them what I have done my whole life is pretty cool and teach them a few little things like how to get the ball up over the net and get so much enjoyment out of actually getting the ball over the net."
The Titans have been a big part of the Special Olympics over the years with events like this as well as the Titan Club hosting a Special Needs basketball camp and recognizing all those participants at a basketball game during the year.
