SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee held a Special Olympic Sports Day this past weekend, as a way to help local Special Olympic Athletes prepare for the upcoming State Summer Games in May.

The day began with a meet and greet with the Yellow Jacket student-athletes before moving into proper warm up procedures before hitting the track for races. The Special Olympians then learned volleyball and basketball before learning soccer skills. Triathlon then demonstrated the different elements of its sport before playing a strong game of freeze tag. The Special Olympias also learned various techniques of football such as debunking myths of throwing technique and running routes, and how to properly swing a golf club.

Overall, the Special Olympians had three hours of instruction from Yellow Jacket student-athletes.

Each BHSU sport demonstrated their sport while the other Yellow Jacket athletes joined the Special Olympians in practicing the various skills of other BHSU sports.

SAAC also had a featured Special Olympian Kent Mulholland, who has been competing for over 10 years in the pentathlon, running and swimming events with Special Olympics.

"Kent had a tremendous time," SAAC advisor Korie Lebeda said. "He certainly had a great time hanging out with all the BHSU athletes, play with them and compete against them. The BHSU athletes quickly learned how much of a super-stud athlete he is and he picked up on each skill at an incredible rate."

Black Hills State SAAC has made an annual event of the Special Olympic sport day and hope for it to continue in a strong manner.

"We would love for this event to continue to grow in popularity and to have several Special Olympians gain some training for Special Olympics in the future," Lebeda added.