Special Olympics Basketball Clinic

The relationship between Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance and Special Olympics Virginia began nearly 20 years ago with a simple donation of old computers to help support SOVA operations. February 20-21, it takes another step forward with a basketball clinic for 100 SOVA athletes held in conjunction with the University of Richmond.

On Sunday, 100 SOVA athletes were put through the paces in all varieties of basketball skills by University of Richmond players and coaches. The event is modeled after similarly successful programs at Kansas University and the University of North Carolina.

"Our players and coaches enjoyed participating in the clinic with Special Olympics Virginia,” says Richmond head coach Chris Mooney. “This was a great day for everyone involved and we look forward to hosting this terrific event on our campus for years to come."

At the conclusion on the clinic, Farm Bureau provided a pizza lunch for the athletes and participants were invited to stay and watch the Richmond women’s team play.

“As long-time partners of both organizations, we’re thrilled to launch this new annual event with Special Olympics and the Spiders,” says Matt Smith, marketing director at Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance. “Our employees have always been enthusiastic volunteers at SOVA events and this just gives us another opportunity to support.”

In addition to the skills clinic, Farm Bureau provided SOVA with 200 tickets to the men’s basketball game on Saturday night against George Washington. The game was designated as SOVA Night. Special Olympics Virginia, the state program of Special Olympics Inc., provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than 14,000 children and adults with mental disabilities at no costs to the athletes or their families.

"Sunday’s basketball clinic at the University of Richmond with Coach Chris Mooney and the Spiders, as well as the recognition at the game on Saturday night, was a great opportunity for our Special Olympics athletes," says Rick Jeffrey, president, Speical Olympics Virginia. "All of this has been made possible through the powerful long-standing partnerships of Special Olympics Virginia, the University of Richmond and Virginia Farm Bureau.  At Special Olympics Virginia, we are in the relationship business and these great relationships have lasted over twenty years."

Richmond Times-Dispatch article

2010 Clinic Photo Gallery