Special Olympics

This past Sunday, May 16, while most of us were still waking up, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper, a very special and noteworthly tennhis event took place at BTC, the Special Olpmpics tennis tournament.

The Special Olympics added tennis to their curriculum about 6 years ago. Each spring they drudge up the hill early Sunday to engage in tennis activity. They have stuck with the game, showing marked improvement in both skill and strategy. The tennis community is being enriched every Sunday morning by this group of individuals who love playing and competing.

 Three years ago, Jen Sorber,  Special Olympics Director(who knew nothing and still claims she knows nothing about tennis) boldy decided she would like to run a SO tournament, and solicited our advice. We decided the event should be held at BTC. The rest is history. The event is now an annual, and a highlight for both particpants and volunteers alike.

The players compete like this is the US Open finals. Their enjoyment factor obvious, their attitude infectious, the appreciation level off the charts. This is high energy interactive tennis at its finest.  The culmination of a sngle point might lead to the following scenario; the team winning the point high fiving, the team losing ther point high fiving because they played such a good point, and one of the players yelling at volunteer John to wake up and throw them a ball for the next point to begin.  There are no dull moments.

While the players are the center stage stars, one must commend the large cadre of volunteers Jen has assembled. Among them are many BTC adult and junior members, and we admire and appreciate of the time and effort they put forth. Special thanks to club members John & Jodi Miller & family, Dave & Colleen Hanzes, Nancy Doyle & family, Renee Brosnan, Sue Caparoli, Maura Burtis & Shane Regan.

The Binghamton Tennsi Center is very proud to be the home of SO tennis and wish them the best of luck in the upcoming State tournament in Utica June 5.  We will be rooting hard for all of you.