In support of the Fayette County Special Olympics teams, the Fayette County Dragons basketball team will hold a fundraising game this evening versus local first responders.
The game will be held at the Washington High School gym beginning at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $3 and includes a chance to win tickets to the Buckeye Country Superfest. Additionally, concessions will be available and a 50/50 raffle will be held with the money supporting Fayette County Special Olympics. The money raised typically goes to cover uniforms, entry fees and other costs associated with the teams allowing these athletes who want to participate the opportunity to play sports.
One cost that is coming soon is for hotel rooms for the team, which recently qualified for the state final four and will leave for Bowling Green on Friday.
“We are using the fundraising game as a sorts of pep rally and a warm up for Friday’s match,” Tim Stewart, Fayette Progressive Industries Special Olympics coordinator said. “We typically have different opponents year after year. This year our teams will be featured in a double header. Our school age team will play first against a team called The Ravens. The Ravens is going to consist of a few Special Olympics athletes from surrounding counties with some junior high basketball players and will be coached by Raven Haithcock.”
After that game will be a special entertainer who was diagnosed with autism, according to Stewart. Following the halftime show, the varsity Dragons will face the local first responders team, Guns-N-Hoses, in the feature match, which will begin around 7 p.m.
“It is really special because we didn’t expect it this year,” said Brandon Runk, head coach of the Dragons. “We had a big turn around of players. We will see come Friday night if we might make it a little further. After every game we tell them, one step, just one step at a time. It is pretty special (to give them a team to play on). I have been coaching for six years now and its basketball, I love coaching.”
All residents are encouraged to attend and help support the Special Olympics teams. For more information about the event, teams or other programs, contact Fayette Progressive Industries at (740) 335-1391.
