PITTSBURGH (PTTP) – Special Olympics at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is building community and changing perspectives through weekly sports and the national organization’s largest annual fundraiser.
The student-led club partners with Special Olympics to connect Pitt students with adults aged 18 and older with intellectual disabilities in the Pittsburgh area. The group meets at Pitt’s Recreation and Wellness Center on Fridays for basketball from 7 to 8 p.m. and volleyball every other Friday from 7 to 8 p.m.
Students can participate to earn service hours or simply to build relationships and have fun. Organizers say the program fosters meaningful connections between students and athletes while promoting inclusion and understanding.
“We see athletes every week, it’s a really close bond [with the athletes], as well as with the other students. Everyone’s very close and supportive.” Maddie Kiester, vice president of Special Olympics at Pitt, says that when explaining the connections this club has given her over the past three years.