Editor’s note: Today, we continue our series of looking at the changing athletic climate that includes Name, Image and Likeness (NIL).
Special Olympics Virginia has partnered with The Hokie Way, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that creates opportunities for Virginia Tech student-athletes to leverage their name, image and likeness in support of charitable organizations in Southwest Virginia.
During the 36th annual Special Olympics Basketball Tournament at Cassell Coliseum, The Hokie Way had six Virginia Tech Student Athletes participate in several activations to highlight the efforts of both organizations that amplify the mission of Special Olympics Virginia. Kyron Drones, Tucker Holloway, Ali Jennings and Jaylin Lane of Virginia Tech Football served as honorary teammates and sat courtside, while Hunter Cattoor and Sean Pedulla, of the Virginia Tech Men’s Basketball Team, led the Special Olympics athlete oath with Tyler Schuster, a guard on the New River Valley Titans.
Dozens of Virginia Tech student athletes took part in Volunteer 2 Cheer, an initiative to create home team crowds for each of the teams competing. Having The Hokie Way athletes attend events like the Southwest Regional Basketball Tournament leverages the combination of sport and goodwill to provide athletes with a unique, integrative, athletic experience they have not been exposed to before.
“Our Special Olympics athletes are huge Virginia Tech fans. The partnerships allow us to activate the Virginia Tech fan base to expand our Special Olympics fan base,” said Nancy Morehouse, the Senior Director of Special Olympics Southwest Region. “Aligning the goals of Special Olympics, and The Hokie Way enables us to double down on using sports to promote more inclusive communities.”
The Hokie Way athletes will attend the New River Polar Plunge this Saturday, February 17th at Bissett Park in Radford, Virginia. The Hokie Way athletes also attend local weekly programs, such as the Unified Walking Club in Christiansburg.
Not only does this partnership provide a rare experience for Special Olympics athletes, but the student athletes are passionate about their role in growing more inclusive sports opportunities.
“The work Special Olympics does create positive outlooks, mentorship and motivation,” said Matthew Sams, Executive Director of The Hokie Way. “Special Olympics athletes look up to Virginia Tech student-athletes and we’re excited to play a small role in keeping the hopes and dreams of sport alive through this partnership.”
For more information on how to become involved with Special Olympics Southwest Region as an athlete or a volunteer, please contact swoffice@specialolympicva.org.
The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools model is supported by the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education. This model has been proven, through research, to be an effective and replicable means to providing students with and without disabilities the opportunity to form positive social relationships and promote a socially inclusive school climate*. Key data points include:
96% of teachers/school staff say the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program increases opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities to work together.
96% of involved teachers believe participation in the program has increased the confidence of students with disabilities.
92% credit the program with reducing bullying, teasing, and offensive language.
A Special Olympics Unified Champion School has an inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement, and respect for all members of the student body and staff.
About Special Olympics Virginia: Special Olympics Virginia is an accredited state program of Special Olympics Incorporated; an international organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports every day around the world. Through work in sports, health, education and community building, Special Olympics addresses inactivity, injustice, intolerance and social isolation by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, which leads to a more welcoming and inclusive society.
The Hokie™Way is an independent 501(c)(3), founded to facilitate the use of the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) of Virginia Tech student-athletes to help promote charitable causes. For more information, visit thehokieway.org.
Special Olympics
