June 22, 2012

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Many Special Olympians, KU student-athletes, coaches and administrators spent Friday afternoon at Lawrence's Alvamar Golf Club participating in the Kansas Athletics Golf Classic supporting Douglas County Special Olympics.

More than 100 golfers took part in the event on the Alvamar public course as KU student-athletes and Special Olympians greeted the participants at registration. 

"This is a great event for Special Olympics and we really appreciate everyone coming out to support a great cause," KU head women's golf coach Erin O'Neil said. O'Neil has participated in the event for the past eight years. "It's a great opportunity for the Special Olympic athletes to intermingle with some of our student athletes."

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the tournament benefit the Douglas County Special Olympics which is a volunteer-run organization that provides year-round training to individuals with special needs in the Douglas County area. Proceeds from the tournament will assist in purchasing sports equipment, uniforms and defraying the cost of tournaments and travel.

Todd "Leaper" Williams, a Special Olympian who has been on the Kansas Athletics staff since he was a student football manager in 1970 said, "This is a great event. I'm the designated putter for my guys."

Founded in 1970, Special Olympics Kansas has grown to include more than 100 local programs and teams across the state. Today, it touches the lives of 5,580 athletes who train and compete year round in 22 sports.

For information on Douglas County Special Olympics go to www.dcsojayhawks.org.