The IU women’s basketball team celebrated its second annual event with the Candy Striped Crew on Sunday. The crew consists of people with special needs, which is open to all ages. This event was attended by people from 8 to 66 years old.
The afternoon began with participants choosing a group based on their favorite IU women’s basketball player. The groups then split up into different basketball drills like layups, defense, dribbling and passing. After the drills concluded, the groups formed into teams and played scrimmages with the women’s basketball players.
The event started two years ago when IU Coach Teri Moren contacted Director of Basketball Operations Liz Honegger to reach out to the special needs community.
Honegger is in her fifth season with the IU women’s basketball program and said she enjoys putting on this event with some of the special athletes.
“My favorite part is seeing the participants’ smiles on their faces — it’s all about them,” Honegger said. “The players are passionate about it, and it helps them feel fortunate for the abilities that they have.”
After Honegger’s first year out of college, she worked with special needs children, and that planted the idea of the Candy Striped Crew many years later.
Junior team manager Javonte Adams grew up near South Bend, Indiana, and watched the Notre Dame women’s basketball team. He realized he had a passion for women’s basketball, and Adams said he really gets into the event by constantly cheering the athletes after every shot.
The drill that elicited the most energy was the defensive drill with IU assistant coach Glenn Box.
Box met participants at the rim and gave them the opportunity to block his shot when he was going up for a layup. One participant in particular seemed to enjoy this drill. He stuffed Box as he went up for his layup and progressed to scream as he pounded his chest in excitement.
“Get some of that,” he said multiple times.
He proceeded to give junior point guard Tyra Buss a high five, and the rest of his group fed off of his energy and continued to scream. The noise carried throughout the gym. He couldn’t contain himself after experiencing such a memorable moment with the All-Big Ten guard.
The moment really goes to show how much this event means to the special athletes.
“I’m gonna keep doing this until the doc holds me down and forces me to quit playing,” said one of the participants.
The participant was talking with one of his teammates, Jean, who is 66 years old and still comes to this event. Jean said he might not have that many years left in him to participate in this event. The other teammate said he he never wants to stop playing for the Candy Striped Crew.
Denise Brown serves as the Monroe County Coordinator for Special Olympics and organizes all of the Special Olympics events affiliated with IU and Monroe County.
Brown said the events cater to all types of participants. From athletes with walkers to athletes in wheel chairs, everybody is accepted.
Monroe County puts on multiple special needs events, and the athletes are always excited, but not for the reason many believe.
“They’re favorite thing is the T-shirts,” Brown said. “Whenever we have an event they always ask if they’re going to be getting a T-shirt.”
