Oregon daily emerald., May 20, 1977, Page 3, Image 3

Handicapped youth
perform in Olympics
By L.P. ISHIZAKA
Of the Emerald
You won’t hear famous names
like Bruce Jenner or Dwight
Stones announced this Saturday
at the Special Olympics but the
participants will be just as impor
tant and have just as much deter
mination as any stars.
About 1,200 mentally hand
icapped youngsters from
throughout the state compete in
the annual state track and field fi
nals of the Oregon Special Olym
pics at Hayward Field.
According to age and ability, the
Special Olympians will compete
for individual medals in the 50 and
220-yard dashes, 440-yard run,
440-yard relay, one mile run,
standing long jump, high jump and
softball throw.
As in the real Olympics, gold,
silver and bronze medals will be
awarded to the top three finishers,
but all contestants receive an
award for participating.
In addition to the medals, the
Olympians will be hugged and
congratulated by University stu
dents and volunteers at the end of
their event.
‘This provides positive rein
forcement for the youngster and
leaves them feeling good about
themselves” said Bill Boldt, an as
sistant professor of parks and re
creation, who is helping coordi
nate the event.
From 8 a.m. to 5 pm. Saturday,
community members and parks
and recreation students will pro
vide entertainment and recrea
tional activities.
‘Puppet shows, jugglers,
clowns and mime acts are just part
of the entertainment planned. In
addition, a new games workshop
will be held, said Boldt.
Throughout the day arts and
crafts and face paintings will also
be on display at Hayward Field.
"We want a philosophy of non
competition as well as a carnival
type atmosphere,” said Boldt.
The physical education de
partment also will have trampoline
exhibitions throughout the day.
In addition to the field events, a
special exhibit of artwork by spe
cial Olympians will be on display in
the EMU. The top award winners
in the art competition will be rec
ognized during opening cere
monies at Hayward Field.
Special Olympics is co
sponsored by the Parks and Re
creation Dept., Oregon Special
Olympics Inc., and the 20-30 Ac
tive Club in Eugene.
Olympic participants range
from eight to eighteen years old.
Adults act as coaches and friends
to the Olympians.
All events will be free of charge
and open to the public.
Special Olympics is an interna
tional program of athletic training
and competition for the mentally
handicapped. It’s founder and
sponsor is the Joseph P. Kennedy
Jr. Foundation.
In conjunction with Saturday's
track meet, the parks and recrea
tion department is sponsoring a
dance for the special Olympians
at Jefferson Junior High School
from 8 to 11 tonight.
"Basically it's a social gathering
to provide interaction for the
youngsters before the track
meet," said Boldt.
ASUO report scheduled
The Incidental Fee Committee (IFC) and three members of the
ASUO Commission on Athletics introduced themselves to each other
during a brief meeting Wednesday night.
Commission members Layton Pace, Craig Lilly and Barbara Ed
wards told the IFC that a report on the relationship between the ASUO
and various University athletic programs (the Athletic Department in
particular), would be ready by next fall. Don Von Rossman and Roy
Clark are also commission members.
Former ASUO Pres. Jan Oliver had previously predicted the
commission s report would be completed by this term. The commission,
however, got off to a slow start.
Newly-elected IFC member Jeff Warren in New York on business,
missed the meeting Committee member Steve Schmunk indicated he
may resign from the IFC. Schmunk said he would "think real hard about
it in the next few days. Former IFC chairer and ASUO Pres. Gary
Feldman has yet to appoint an IFC member to replace himself. Paul
Bartel is serving as temporary IFC chairer.
• *0 • - ■ — - - - . ---... .. ... I ■■ o ..
HAVE A MaZZI’S LUNCH
Mazzi’s lunches are available to take out
and good anywhere—so have a
Mazzi picnic soon
Osborn secures
second VP post
ASUO Pres. Gary Feldman filled the remain
ing vice-presidential position in his administra
tion Thursday, naming Keli Osborn vice
president for university and state affairs.
Feldman will have only two vice-presidents
under him. Last week he chose Molly Devlin to
be vice-president for internal affairs and prog
rams.
Osborn, a junior journalism major from
Eugene, worked this past year as a research
assistant for ASUO state affairs. She also
managed the ASUO’s Legislative Resource
Center. '
Osborn said she applied for the position be
cause “I’m interested in what’s going in the
University. I’ve learned a lot this year about
issues concerning students. I’d like to continue
advocating the student’s position,” she said.
Although the state Legislature won’t be in
session next year, Osborn says there’s still
much to be done in the area of state affairs.
“Well work with the Legislature’s interim
committees and the State Board of Higher
Education. Plus we ll be working on issues that
will come before the next session of the legisla
ture.”
“A portion of our work will depend on what
this legislative session does with HB 2702 —
we ll have to implement it on this campus. If the
bill fails, we ll begin work on another try for the
next session,” Osborn said.
In the area of university affairs, Osborn said
she will attempt to get student input on the
X r
Keli Osborn
effects of budget cuts being made by the uni
versity administration. She said she would also
try to generate more ASUO support for various
student groups on campus.
“To an extent there wasn’t much emphasis
on university affairs this year. In fact there was
a big gap in that area. We hope to establish
better communication with the administration.
We want to work in a spirit of cooperation with
them.”
DUFFYS
FRIDAY
Pitcher Sale 4-6:00
(no cover)
COME GET YOUR
COPY OF
SCANDAL'S NEW
RECORD AND
T-SHIRT
plus cover — Special $
SATURDAY
Blue Grass
McKenzie River
Boys ($1 cover)
NBA Playo£f on the Big Tube. Portland vs.
Philadelphia 10:30 am
13th U Alder