The University of Southern Maine gym and field house on the Gorham campus filled on March 10 with Special Olympians, their family and friends for the 2018 Special Olympics Maine (SOME) Southern Maine Basketball Tournament, one of three tournaments in the state. Athletes from Aroostook to Cumberland County came to participate.

The tournament consisted of three different types of competition: team competition with five players on a side with only Special Olympians; Unified, consisting of three athletes and two partners; and finally, team skills, an around-the-world type of competition where the Olympians practiced special skills and drills.

Mark Capano, Program Director at SOME and the organizer of the tournament, said it’s a humbling experience to be a part of a tournament such as this. “It’s a love fest,” he said, as athletes walked by to high-five and give him hugs. The excitement in the room was evident as the athletes took to the courts to warm up. “All of these events we put on are for and about the athletes. It’s an extended part of your family,” he added.

When asked about his favorite part of the tournament, he said it was being with the athletes. “It’s about competition as well. We’re serious about training our athletes and providing a competition that’s the best we can provide.”

The athletes take it seriously as well. Della Lippincott, an athlete for the Auburn Navigators and the only woman on her team that day, was overheard saying she was going to dominate. Though she seemed to be a fierce competitor, she said her favorite thing about competing was meeting new friends. “The boys are pretty good to me,” she said, and they are. One of her teammates came over and said, “she’s our starting center today!”

It takes many volunteers to hold a successful event. Volunteers from Cheverus, including the basketball teams and hockey teams, helped with drills. USM Athletic Trainers and a Maine Med Fellow was on hand in case there were any injuries. The UNE School of Dentistry gave out free mouth guards to the athletes. The USM Women’s Basketball team also helped with drills and the Gorham Police Department handed out the awards at the podium.

USM Huskies Basketball Coach, Samantha Allen, has been volunteering for this tournament for three years. “The challenge this year was that it was during break and many players are away.” Fortunately, players like Kristen Curley, a Gorham resident, and a few other players who had to work during break were on hand to help time some of the less competitive options of the tournament.

The room was filled with smiles. Not just on the faces of athletes, but those of their family and friends. There was competition but also camaraderie, and at the end of the day, it is about the athletes and helping to make their experience the most fun it could be.