May 20, 2007

PHOTO GALLERY

GREELEY, Colo. - Members of the Big Sky Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Greeley Special Olympics came together on the University of Northern Colorado practice fields today to play bocce ball and eat pizza.

The two groups started the evening outdoors, but rain showers forced the 30 people inside for a short time. After shooting some basketball in the new practice facility, the clouds broke, allowing everyone to move back outside, where bocce ball lessons ensued.

Special Olympians picked their student-athlete partners and the games began. After almost an hour-and-a-half of intense competition and lots of laughter, the group moved indoors to enjoy a dinner of pizza.

"This was competition in its purest form today," said Michael Trahan, a member of the Northern Colorado track & field team. "We (the student-athletes) were able to come out here and have a good time and compete. None of the other factors that usually affect us mattered here today."

The student-athletes are in town for the Big Sky Conference Spring Meetings, which begin tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. at the University Center on the Northern Colorado campus. The meetings conclude on Tuesday afternoon with the Presidents meeting. A press conference will conclude the meetings at approximately 4:00 p.m. at the University Center.