Willowbrook Special Olympics student-athletes participate in Division III Week at Elmhurst University

On April 13, Willowbrook English teacher and Special Olympics coach Tara Murphy took eight members of the school’s Special Olympics Track Team to Elmhurst University to participate in Division III Week. This year’s event took place from April 10 to 14.

According to https://tinyurl.com/rscp5ztj, “NCAA Division III and the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) share a special relationship with the Special Olympics, (which is) one of the cornerstones of Division III Week. The Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) initiated the partnership in 2011 to enhance the lives of Division III student-athletes and Special Olympics athletes through a mutual learning experience; provide a platform for recognition of Special Olympics athletes and Division III student-athletes within their communities; and raise awareness of Special Olympics, its programs and services.”

During their visit to Elmhurst University, the Willowbrook student-athletes had the opportunity to run with members of the university’s Track and Field Team, play in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and participate in an awards presentation. The event was coordinated by Melissa Schwab, Elmhurst University Head Women's Golf Coach and Assistant Women's Basketball Coach, and senior Payton Schmidt, a guard on the Elmhurst University Women's Basketball Team and President of the university’s SAAC.

“It was a wonderful experience for the students to see a college campus and to learn about athletics at the collegiate level,” Murphy said.