Treece Embry breaks the huddle and heads for his wide receiver position.
It’s late, and the game is on the line. He uses his blazing speed to race past every defender, and just as he arrives in the end zone, he turns and receives a perfectly thrown touchdown pass to seal the victory.
Scenes like this are playing out every Tuesday and Thursday night at Arkansas Tech University’s campus recreation fields as part of Arkansas’ first Special Olympics Unified Sports flag football league.
Special Olympics athletes like Embry play alongside ATU students, known in Unified Sports as partners, and compete in the same fashion as the intramural leagues hosted by the ATU Office of Campus Recreation.
“I’ve got it in me,” said Embry when asked about the source of his speed. “I kind of like flag football. It’s been a while since I’ve played it, but I’m enjoying it out here.”
The initiative to bring the state’s first Unified Sports flag football league to Arkansas Tech began when Kerry Shannon, coordinator of campus recreation at ATU, reached out to Special Olympics of Arkansas.
Special Olympics Unified Sports flag football consists of three athletes and two partners per team. There are three teams competing in the Unified Sports flag football league at ATU, which will continue through early October.
Jason Boze was among the athletes on the team playing against Embry’s team on Thursday, Sept. 19.
“I really enjoy having fun and spending a lot of time with new friends,” said Boze after the game. “I like to throw the ball to my team and playing sports. It makes me feel good to compete. It gives me energy in my body.”
Wendy Parks, training director for Special Olympics of Arkansas Area 17, was among those cheering on the athletes and the partners.
“This benefits the athletes because they feel they are a part of it…there is no separation and no boundaries…just get out and play,” said Parks.
ATU was the first Special Olympics of Arkansas partner college. The relationship began when Arkansas Tech hosted its first Unified Sports day during Homecoming 2014.
This year’s Unified Sports event, scheduled for 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3, at Hindsman Tower, will mark the sixth consecutive year that ATU students have joined Special Olympics athletes in activities such as Kickball, Baggo and bocce. All ATU students are invited to participate in the Oct. 3 event.
In the meantime, the competition will remain real and an enhanced sense of understanding will be built every Tuesday and Thursday evening on the ATU flag football fields.
“I think it’s nice to come out here and compete with the athletes, give them a place to play and provide them a place where they feel welcome,” said Darby Dunn, an ATU student from Hot Springs and one of the Unified Sports flag football partners. “The athletes are no different from us. They can do exactly what we can do, and honestly, they are a lot better at flag football than I am, so go them.”
