UTICA, N.Y. – Several members of the SUNYIT Student-Athlete Advisory Council (S.A.A.C) traveled to Pin-O-Rama on Sunday to bowl with a local Special Olympics training group. The group practices every week for 8-9 weeks leading up to a competition, and invited the lucky SUNYIT Student-Athletes to join.

Volunteer work is usually thought to be a sort of absolute good – a pure transfer of time and energy from those who can spare it to those who need it. Alas, like so much in the lives of Special Olympians, the transaction on Sunday proved unfair, with SUNYIT athletes coming away feeling as if they, not the Olympians, got the most out of the experience.

"I had so much fun," reported one SUNYIT athlete, who went to the event despite recently injuring her knee, "I'm pretty sore now but it was so worth it!"

Of course there were plenty of smiles to go around. The Special Olympics Athletes, many of whom have been training for years, got to share their expertise – and a little good-natured chiding as well.

"I'd get up to the line, and just as I was about to take a step I heard someone behind me yell 'Gutterball!'; I turned around and I just see Fred and Justin laughing hysterically," said one S.A.A.C member.

So how did the frame turn out?

"I put it right in the gutter, of course" said the S.A.A.C member with a grin, "they loved it."

The SUNYIT S.A.A.C members would like to extend their thanks to Matthew, Ryan, Justin, Christina, Lauren, Michaela, Kyle, Fred, and Reilly along with all of the tremendous athletes in attendance on Sunday, for showing them a great time and providing some excellent bowling tips too.

Praise belongs as well to Krysta Beha, Matthew Wilday, Bridget Ashmore, Nicole DiPiazza, Taviot Jackowski, Connor Passalacqua, Shelby Parker, and Hannah Moore – almost all of whom had games on a busy sports-weekend for the Wildcats – for making time to hit the lanes.

In addition, a special thanks goes to SUNYIT National S.A.A.C Representative Connor Passalacqua for organizing the event, and to the Special Olympic Team's wonderful coach, Charlene Deon.