EVENT PHOTO GALLERY

LAKEVILLE, Minn. -- The Augsburg College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) took part in a volunteer event with Special Olympics Minnesota on Nov. 17 at the Brunswick Zone XL bowling center. Eighteen Auggie student-athletes and staff volunteered for the state bowling competition.

Starting in 2011, NCAA Division III institutions began a formal 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.

According to the Special Olympics Minnesota website, "Special Olympics Minnesota is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports, adapted as necessary to meet the needs of those with intellectual and physical disabilities."

Auggie student-athletes had the opportunity to volunteer to work as lane monitors, and cheerleaders for hundreds of Special Olympics athletes. In addition, members of the Auggie women's hockey team also volunteered to work as part of the award presentations. 

Lauren Rice is a senior student-athlete who volunteered for the first time.  At the event, she helped out with lanes, recorded scores, and made sure athletes were bowling in order. "It was so fun! I loved how excited and sweet the athletes were." Lauren says she hopes to volunteer at more Special Olympic events in the future. "I ran into one of the athletes from the bowling event at an Augsburg hockey game and he suggested that I volunteer with the hockey Special Olympics program!"

SAAC Advisor/Associate Athletic Director Kelly Anderson Diercks, Assistant Athletic Director Melissa Lee and Sports Information Director Don Stoner both also participated in the event. "This is a fantastic opportunity for our student-athletes to get out in the community and work with the athletes at this event. This is my third consecutive year working with the regional bowling event and I truly enjoy it more each and every time," Anderson Diercks said.

The Augsburg SAAC is planning to volunteer again with Special Olympics in the spring semester at their annual Spring Games hosted at the University of St. Thomas on March 28-30, 2014.