Broncos Prepare for Matches at Notre Dame
The Broncos will not be the only soccer squad from Kalamazoo in action at Notre Dame on Sunday. The Kalamazoo Area 16 Special Olympics Unified soccer team has been invited by the Notre Dame Special Olympics College to join them in a Unified Soccer Classic.
Kalamazoo Area 16 will match up against the Notre Dame Special Olympics soccer team at 2:15 p.m. on a nearby field. The game will be one of the first ever interscholastic, inclusive competitions that will promote the Project Unify mission of Special Olympics International.
"We are very excited about the opportunity to have our athletes compete in this one-of-a-kind event at Notre Dame," stated Jessica Rapelje, director of the Kalamazoo Unified Special Olympics program.
The two teams joined together on Monday, March 26, in preparation of their upcoming weekend matches. The players used this time to practice their skills in ball control, passing, and finishing. More importantly, players from both sides used the time together to get to know each other and develop friendships.
"I had a great time working with the Special Olympics athletes. They are such amazing people," stated senior captain Darren Jones.
"I believe that it was an extremely rewarding experience for both groups, and we look forward to supporting each other at the games in South Bend this weekend," added head coach Stu Riddle.
