CHICAGO, Ill.  – On Wednesday, January 24 and Thursday, January 25, Illinois Tech Athletics and its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee hosted a basketball tournament for Special Olympics Chicago High School Basketball.

The two-day tournament has become an annual event at the Keating Sports Center and was attended by over 250 young men and women representing over 20 Chicagoland high schools. Forty-five student-athletes on behalf of each of the 18 varsity sports at Illinois Tech volunteered to help run the event.

“Our student-athletes were given the opportunity to work with students of special needs and I know all of them had a positive experience,” said Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach and SAAC Advisor Erik Scanlan. “The Special Olympians competed and showed a love for the sport while exemplifying sportsmanship.”

Having the opportunity to help out with the Special Olympics basketball tournament my past three years has really shown me the love that everyone has for sports,” said Anastastios Manolis, junior goalkeeper on the men’s soccer team. “In watching these students play, I see a real passion for the game that sometimes we as athletes take for granted. These students put in maximum effort whether they're on the court or off of it. Being able to assist with the Special Olympics program has shown me the greatness and compassion people have.”