A banner night for UND Special Olympics College club

UND in national spotlight as top 5 “unified champion school” for campus and community inclusion efforts

The UND Special Olympics College club shared center ice last Friday night (Jan. 6) with the eight-time national champion Fighting Hawks hockey team — with the club athletes boasting a national championship of their own — courtesy of Special Olympics and the Worldwide Leader in Sports, ESPN.

In front of thousands of spectators at the UND-Lindenwood University hockey game, the UND club was honored for making UND a top 5 Special Olympics National Unified Champion Banner School — one of the most inclusive schools in the country. Each year, ESPN and Special Olympics recognize just 5 schools across the country for efforts that promote inclusion. UND is the only university on this year’s list.

The celebration culminated with the unveiling of a banner to mark the club athletes’ remarkable achievement. UND President Andrew Armacost and UND Athletics Director Bill Chaves joined the Special Olympic athletes and other club members and supporters for the honor.

Unified spirit

Jerry Bembry, a senior writer for ESPN attending is very first college hockey game, bestowed the honors. Special Olympics recently joined forces with ESPN and ABC to be a member of the “Choose Kindness Alliance.” That Alliance promotes intentional inclusion that sparks kindness for young people and their families. Bembry said UND is a great example “of a Choose Kindness Spirit in Action.”

“I did a little research because I am a reporter and I wanted to find out why UND received this honor,” Bembry said. “The students didn’t the let pandemic hold back [its] unified spirit. Club members organized numerous activities including virtual workouts, game nights, fitness challenges and movie nights. And I heard about many of the theme nights, including Halloween, Christmas and the Super Bowl. The Special Olympics Club here at UND also provides leadership opportunities to Special Olympics athletes, giving those athletes a role in planning activities for the year. Now that’s real inclusion, and that is why UND is being celebrated.

“On behalf of everyone at ESPN, we are so proud of everyone here at the University of North Dakota. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor.”

Experience of a lifetime

In addition to the banner presentation, the UND Special Olympics College club athletes took part in a fan luncheon, Zamboni rides, cheering with the UND Hockey cheer team and a ceremonial puck drop at center ice. Em Laplant also joined Ralph Engelstad Arena favorite Lacey Schuler in the singing of the National Anthem at center ice.

Renae Bjorg, UND assistant professor of teaching and learning and Special Olympics College club advisor for UND, said more than 100 tickets were donated for the night on behalf of the Special Olympics club athletes.

“This was an experience of a lifetime,” Bjorg said. “It is an honor and a privilege to be involved with students and athletes who dream big and don’t let anything stop them. Like all athletes, our Special Olympics athletes consistently commit to playing hard, honing skills and being team players. The athletes consistently encourage members of their team and their opposing teams to be the best they can be.”

Erin Baumann, a Special Olympics athlete for the past 25 years, was present for the festivities. She probably summed it up best at a fan luncheon celebration presentation when she said: “We are one!”

Bjorg reflected back on Friday night at The Ralph, with the club athletes in the spotlight of the local sports world.

“The athletes were beaming … waving to their friends and family members as their names were announced and their faces shone over the Jumbotron, Bjorg said. “The athletes and their families seated in the stands were equally excited.”

Leading the way

So how did it all come to be?  It all started when Anna Roaldson, school & youth coordinator for Special Olympics North Dakota, learned about the Special Olympics National Unified Champion Banner School competition and reviewed the 10 Standards of Excellence. It quickly became evident that the UND Special Olympics College club already had met all of them. UND club was chosen for the honor among thousands of applications.

Roaldson said Friday’s celebration at The Ralph was special for all involved, especially the club athletes, many of whom had never witnessed a UND hockey game.

“The open minds of the UND and Grand Forks communities played a large role in the UND Special Olympics Club’s ability to share its mission of creating meaningful opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds,” said Roaldson, described as a leader in the movement toward inclusion across campus and the community. “Special Olympics is not a one-day event, we are a global movement filled with change-makers working to make all individuals feel accepted and welcome.”

About Special Olympics College

Special Olympics College functions as an official club on campus and connects college students and individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport to build friendships and help lead the social justice movement of Special Olympics. Created by college students for college students, the network seeks the membership of campuses that seek the common goals of enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and building a more accepting world for all.

About Special Olympics North Dakota

Special Olympics North Dakota is a private, non-profit organization that provides year-round health promotion, sports training, and competition in 14 sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. All activities are provided free of charge to the participants and their families. More than 1,000 athletes and 2,500 volunteers participate throughout the state of North Dakota. For more information, visit specialolympicsnd.org.