Houghton Serves 64 Athletes in Special Olympics Bocce Event
HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- The crispness of fall was in the air Saturday, September 22
as cars and buses rolled onto Houghton College's campus for the Second Annual Western New York Regional Special Olympics Bocce Ball Tournament.
It didn't take long for the temperature to rise due to smiling faces of 64 athletes and 16 teams as they unloaded and made their way to Burke Field. Teams from Allegany ARC Green Machine, Alle-Catts, Chautauqua Lakers, Dunkirk Lakers, and Lifetime Assistance participated in a morning full of tournament play and many laughs.
Helping the participants were 25 Houghton student-athletes, primarily members of Houghton's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and another 60 volunteers.
"I look forward to the Special Olympics Bocce event every year," said Houghton softball student-athlete and SAAC President Taylor Sile. "Getting the chance to interact with all the athletes and see the pure joy that is spread across their face the entire day is priceless. I truly believe that there is nothing more fulfilling than the high fives and smiles that are abundant during events like this."