Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Spend New Years With Special Olympians
1/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2015
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Less than 24 hours after returning home from a hard fought 70-65 road win at Nebraska, the IU men’s basketball team spent the better part of New Years night working on their game against a different group of competitors.
The 15 players traveled to Indianapolis where they served as camp counselors to members of Special Olympics, Indiana at the Kevin Ferrell Foundation Youth Basketball Camp at Park Tudor High School. There were about 150 athletes representing Special Olympics with a total of about 500 in the facility watching the event.
“I think it is another opportunity for us to grow closer as a team, but more importantly this is something that inspires us,” said freshman James Blackmon, Jr. “You really get the opportunity to step back and see what kind of impact you as a college basketball player have, but honestly, the Special Olympians inspire us just as much.”
As counselors, the team started off the evening working with the groups on drills such as passing, layups and three-point shots. Following the drills, each of the campers were allowed to scrimmage with members of the Hoosiers.
Afterwards, the IU players signed autographs and posed for pictures for those in attendance.
“I think we learned a great lesson tonight,” said Yogi Ferrell.“You are instantly moved by the passion in which all of the campers showed in competing.”
The Hoosiers will now begin preparing for another Big Ten road matchup on Monday at Michigan State.
“Tonight was an absolute blast,” said Max Hoetzel. “It is fun to be able to get out and interact this way. This was a really good group and hope we can do this again.”
