RELEASE DATE: 12/10/07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tioga County Special Olympics honors Mansfield University Aquatics and Women’s Swim team as Sponsor of Year

MANSFIELD – There were smiles from everyone when athletes and coaches from the Tioga Country Special Olympics  honored the Mansfield University Aquatics and Women’s Swimming programs as the 2007 Sponsor of the Year in a halftime ceremony during the Mansfield – Penn College men’s basketball game last Wednesday night at Decker Gymnasium.

“We are so thankful for the help and the support that Mansfield University and its athletic programs have long provided to the Tioga County Special Olympic throughout the years,” said Donna Cummings of the Tioga County Special Olympics during the presentation.

“We are very pleased to present the Sponsor of the Year Award to the Aquatics and women’s swimming program for all their help in training and providing opportunity for out athletes,” continued Cummings. “They have just been incredibly supportive and it means so very much to out athletes.”

The plaque was presented by Cummings and a large group of Special Olympians to Mansfield University Aquatics Director and women’s swimming coach Danita Fox.

“We’re pleased to be able to help such a wonderful organization and such outstanding athletes,” Fox said during the presentation. “It’s as rewarding and educational for us as it is for them.”

After the presentation, two members of the Tioga County Special Olympics basketball team put on a shooting exhibition with Mansfield University athletics contributing a total of $50 to the Special Olympics for their efforts.

The Special Olympians and the swim team then adjured to the balcony area for a pizza party.

The honor marks a continuation of a tradition of helping the Tioga County Special Olympics by Mansfield University athletic programs. The softball, field hockey and men’s basketball programs have all been cited by the Special Olympics in past year’s with the men’s basketball team being named the Pennsylvania State Sponsor the Year Award.