2008-09 News and Features

Sixers Stars Hold Special Olympics Clinic

By: Elise Bryers

The Sixers practice court overflowed with excitement on Thursday night as Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Willie Green, Theo Ratliff, Marreese Speights, Reggie Evans, and Assistant Coach Bernard Smith held a clinic for local Special Olympics athletes.

Over 80 youths from the program, (ages 10-18), took part in the one-hour skills clinic which included a special visit by Hip-Hop as he displayed his usual antics. Sixers Television Play-by-Play Announcer Marc Zumoff emceed the clinic with his usual enthusiasm.

The clinic began with instruction from Coach Smith on the basics of the game including dribbling, shooting, and defense. After some of the Special Olympians demonstrated their skills, they were split into six groups to work on the techniques with the Sixers players. Parents observed and captured snapshots from above as their sons and daughters shot hoops with Theo, passed with Willie, dribbled with both Andres, and "D'ed" up Reggie and Marreese.

At the conclusion of the clinic, Marc Zumoff delivered a surprise to one very extraordinary athlete to be named the Sixers Hometown Hero for the month of March. Stanley Dluzniewski of Northeast, Philadelphia has been a member of Special Olympics for over 13 years. Not only has he participated in numerous sports such as volleyball, basketball, soccer, and bowling, he recently obtained the amazing honor of Eagle Scout, which is the highest level of the boy scouts program. An ear-numbing round of applause was given as Stanley stood up to be officially recognized by his friends, family, and peers. Marc then explained that he would be honored at the Sixers game when the Sixers take on the Toronto Raptors this Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Before the Special Olympians left for the evening, they were able to get autographs from their favorite Sixers. Each athlete left proudly wearing their Sixers jersey as they smiled ear to ear with memories that will last a lifetime.