Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:30:52 +0000

Ever since Lincoln was announced as the host city for the 2010 Games, organizers have been working with UNL to make sure the two could work together to pull off a successful event.

From housing and parking, to meals and even campus police, the University is playing a big role in the games.

The Devaney Center, Ed Weir track, Cook Pavilion and the Coliseum...Only a few of the venues Special Olympics events will take over come July. Don't forget the UNL dorms.

Sarah Leeth of the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games, says, "Having our venues and capability to put all of our athletes in those dorms was a huge reason why Special Olympics chose Nebraska as the site for this."

The 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games are utilizing much of campus, a task UNL officials are familiar with.

Butch Hug of UNL Facilities and Events, says, "Nebraska is known for putting on championship and Class A events so it was kind of a natural that we would be involved."

UNL athletics will host swimming, track and field and the opening and closing ceremonies, among others events.

Hug says, "Campus-wide, we're starting to gather as the campus committees, to see to make sure we have everything covered."

Besides the athletic events, 3,000 and athletes and 1,000 parents, coaches and chaperones will call the UNL dorms home for a week.

Doug Zatechka, Director of UNL Housing, says, "We've had more than 4,000 people in the halls in the summer but it's the largest single conference we've ever had."

Zatechka says the dorms can hold 6,100 people, and he's not concerned with the size of the group.

Zatechka says, "We're ready for it, we know we can do a good job, we're ready to do a good job and we're glad that we're a part of it."

Campus police, parking facilities and university transportation will also be utilized to make the Star City Special Olympics an experience to remember.

For Special Olympics athletes here in Nebraska, they're gearing up for the event that takes place in their own backyard.

Ever since Lincoln was announced as the host city for the 2010 Games, organizers have been working with UNL to make sure the two could work together to pull off a successful event.

From housing and parking, to meals and even campus police, the University is playing a big role in the games.

The Devaney Center, Ed Weir track, Cook Pavilion and the Coliseum...Only a few of the venues Special Olympics events will take over come July. Don't forget the UNL dorms.

Sarah Leeth of the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games, says, "Having our venues and capability to put all of our athletes in those dorms was a huge reason why Special Olympics chose Nebraska as the site for this."

The 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games are utilizing much of campus, a task UNL officials are familiar with.

Butch Hug of UNL Facilities and Events, says, "Nebraska is known for putting on championship and Class A events so it was kind of a natural that we would be involved."

UNL athletics will host swimming, track and field and the opening and closing ceremonies, among others events.

Hug says, "Campus-wide, we're starting to gather as the campus committees, to see to make sure we have everything covered."

Besides the athletic events, 3,000 and athletes and 1,000 parents, coaches and chaperones will call the UNL dorms home for a week.

Doug Zatechka, Director of UNL Housing, says, "We've had more than 4,000 people in the halls in the summer but it's the largest single conference we've ever had."

Zatechka says the dorms can hold 6,100 people, and he's not concerned with the size of the group.

Zatechka says, "We're ready for it, we know we can do a good job, we're ready to do a good job and we're glad that we're a part of it."

Campus police, parking facilities and university transportation will also be utilized to make the Star City Special Olympics an experience to remember.

For Special Olympics athletes here in Nebraska, they're gearing up for the event that takes place in their own backyard.