2012 Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament to be held in Tuscarawas County

  • By Teri Stein
  • January 30, 2012
  • 401
                        
Summary: There will be a lot of activity around the area on March 30 and 31 when the Special Olympics Ohio State basketball tournament rolls into Tuscarawas County. A host of individuals and organizations come together to put on this important event. Find out how you can help too. It’s our year! Athletes from around the state will be coming to Tuscarawas County on March 30 – 31 for the annual Special Olympics Ohio state basketball tournament. “We are looking forward to holding the state basketball tournament in our county again this year,” said Natalie Lupi, Superintendent of the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities and a board member for Special Olympics Ohio. “I am so pleased to see all the support we get from the area schools, families, staff, coaches and supporters at all of the games. We encourage the community to come to the events.” In 1999 the local Special Olympics committee request to hold the state basketball tournament in Tuscarawas County was granted. “After viewing the facilities that we had to offer in our community Special Olympics Ohio (SOO) granted us permission to host the games every three to four years,” said Linda Hobart. Hobart has been involved in Special Olympics for 30 years; 24 years in Tuscarawas County. Her titles are Local Coordinator for Tuscarawas County, Area 9 and East Section Co-Director for Special Olympics Ohio for 22 years. “I serve as a volunteer in these positions. The best part of this job is watching the growth of the athletes over the years, not only in skill development but in confidence, self esteem, and courage. The social growth is such a beautiful gift, and also the friendships I have with the families,” said Hobart. Sue Kloc, Starlight School Principal, serves as the other Area 9 co-director. Hobart complimented the other members of the Tuscarawas County Special Olympics advisory committee for their dedication, “These folks are the foundation that brings this tournament to reality.” The committee members in addition to Hobart are Sue Kloc, Mark and Shelly Clemence, Pat Antonelli, Bob Glasgow, Carolyn Raderchak, and Jane Schriver. “Every year at the beginning of March we host the Area 9 and East Section tournament. These tournaments are qualifiers to the State (tournament) so I will not know who qualifies until after March 11,” said Hobart. After the local playoffs are held around the state, those competing in the state tournament will be determined. “The State tournament means a lot to this community it's an economical boost and it also showcases the great support we get from the community and our local school districts,” said Hobart. “The state tournament will bring into this community approximately 28 basketball teams and their family members from across the State of Ohio.” After the Area/Sectional the playoff teams will compete in the final four of their divisions. There are nine divisions, four in Men's, two in School Age, two in Women's, and one Open. The Tuscarawas County Rockets are in Men's division four. “Unlike High School, teams are divisioned by their ability, not the size of their program and/or win-lose record. That is where I and Sue Kloc come in as the Area and Sectional Directors reviewing all the teams in Area 9 and the East Section,” said Hobart. “All the area and section directors will then gather at the state office in Columbus and make a decision on their division. This can change every year for teams.” Schools that will be supporting the State tournament are Strasburg, who will have games in both of their gyms, Dover Middle School, New Philadelphia High School, and Kent State University Tuscarawas. In addition to basketball teams’ competition, Claymont High School will host the Individual Skills Competition. “This will bring in an additional 350 athletes from across the state. Individual skills is for athletes not ready to participate on a team level, this still gives them an opportunity to participate and compete in basketball,” said Hobart. “There are no special rules in Special Olympic basketball. They play the same rules as the Ohio High School Athletic Association. They need to play on a regulation High School basketball court. Which is also a criteria for hosting these tournaments,” said Hobart. The gym at Starlight School, where the Tuscarawas County Rockets practice, is much smaller than a regulation court. “Athletes must have some familiarity to playing on a big court thus the reason we play at various High Schools during our regular season,” said Hobart. “Our gratitude goes out to the public schools who have supported us (and allowed us) to play on their courts.” “Through the years of achievements, Special Olympics Ohio Tuscarawas County has certainly earned a respectable position in our community as a great sports and athletic organization. Over the years we have gained great support from our community and especially the local school districts,” said Hobart. The state tournament will begin with an Opening Ceremony on Friday March 30 at the Strasburg High School gym starting at 5:00 p.m. The County commissioners and Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Natalie Lupi will welcome the teams to our community. The complete tournament schedule will be released when available. There is no admission charge to attend any local, area, sectional or state events. Donations to Special Olympics Tuscarawas County may be sent to 518 Church Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 (attn. Linda Hobart.) The group will also need donations of concession stand items (hotdogs, buns, candy bars, chips, water, pop, and donuts) for the area tournament March 3,4, 10,11 and gift baskets to raffle at the games. Contact Linda Hobart at Starlight School at 330-339-9588 for more information.


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