RED WING, Minn. -- The Augsburg College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) organized and took part in a volunteer event with Special Olympics Minnesota on Sunday, Oct. 30 at the Treasure Island bowling venue. Fifteen Auggies volunteered for the regional bowling competition.

Starting in 2011, NCAA Division III institutions began a partnership with Special Olympics. The purpose of the partnership is to improve the lives of Special Olympics athletes through their involvement with Division III student-athletes, and to foster a mutual learning experience between Division III athletes and Special Olympics athletes.

At the event, each volunteer was in charge of monitoring a bowling lane, making sure the athletes bowled when it was their turn and on the correct lane. Augsburg participants included: Dan Gerber (men's cross country), Mary Hildestad (softball), Katie Jacobson (women's soccer), Alex Jamieson (women's soccer), Adam Langer (baseball), Gary Mariscal (baseball), Amy Jo Opsal (volleyball), Zach Pavlisick (baseball), Jennifer Pulscher (women's cross country), Adam Seaman (baseball), Devon Shaut (softball), Shanek Telphia (women's track and field), Matt Woodstock (baseball), and SAAC advisors Keith Bateman (baseball coach), and Kelly Anderson Diercks (assistant athletic director).

The afternoon was impactful for all those who participated, coming away with stories and memories of how passionate the Special Olympics athletes were to their event.

Opsal remembers asking one of her bowlers why he was not smiling; he responded with, “I will smile when I do a good job.” He eventually went on to win his division and Opsal was able to observe his excitement and smiles about how well he did during an award ceremony.

The reactions of the Special Olympics athletes were priceless. After every bowl, they came away extremely exited or disappointed and ready to do better on their next turn. Woodstock commented: “It was great seeing the participant's expressions when they got a strike or received their award. It was cool to be able to cheer them on and celebrate with them after every turn."

Pulscher also truly enjoyed her experience volunteering. She recalled one bowler in particular who would would say, “Watch me, watch me, please,” before he was up to bowl. He would then return, no matter how well he did, asking if she was proud of him. Pulsher was happy to tell him that she was very proud of him.

“The Special Olympics bowling tournament was awesome." Langer said. "It was by far the best event I have been a part of during my four years at Augsburg.”

As the Special Olympics motto goes: "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in my attempt."