Special Olympics team to play at JC games tonight

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Tonight’s Dakota Athletic Conference doubleheader will even have basketball at halftime.

The Area 9 Special Olympics Division I team, coached by Roy Musland, will face a team of student-athletes from Jamestown College during the intermissions of both the men’s and women’s games tonight at the Civic Center.

The game came together when Area 9 Director Colette Heilman, Musland and Kevin Gall from Jamestown College were able to work the details out on a date and opponent.

“It’s really exciting that Jamestown College is giving us this opportunity on this stage,” Musland said. “Kevin (Gall) was really receptive to doing it and we are greatly appreciative.”

Musland’s squad consists of eight Jamestown players and one from Medina. They practice twice a week at the KC gym. Their season begins in December and 30 athletes participate in the program overall, spread out over three teams.

Of the Division I team, called the Wizards, Musland said, “They’re pretty salty. I’m really proud of this team. They take it pretty seriously.”

The first half of the game against the JC assembled team will take place at halftime of the women’s game with the second half to follow during the men’s intermission.

Musland said it’s a great group of athletes to be around.

“I’ve been around a lot of basketball and the thing that makes these athletes so special is that one, they all have passion. And two, they sincerely want their teammates to do well,” he said. “It’s the most unselfish basketball team I’ve ever been around.”

Tags: special olympics, special olympics, sports, jimmies, jc, basketball, halftime