Photo contributed by Ben Stockwell By Molly DeMellier
Glenbrook Gym was a surge of excitement Sunday afternoon for the annual EDD Memorial basketball clinic that brought disabled youth from the surrounding area to the court.
Hosted by Castleton’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, the event consisted of individual skill work, group drills, scrimmages, and concluded with an awards ceremony. Celebration dances and cheers from participants and coaches alike were an unexpected highlight to the day.
“The kids love it,” said Executive Officer Gretchen Owens. “I think it really makes them feel special.”
The enthusiasm and laughter of the Spartan’s were of equal measure to the kids they were teaching the sport.
“It’s really a win-win,” Owens said.
“It always feels good to give back to the community and it was a great experience,” said senior captain of the womens’ team Tarryn Bolognani.
The EDD Memorial Foundation began in 1997 to commemorate Owens’ brother, Eric Dettenrieder, who tragically lost his life in a skiing accident at the age of 23. Dettenrieder was a ski race coordinator at Hunter Mountain who enjoyed teaching terminally ill children to ski.
The foundation began small and originally honored Dettenrieder by continuing his work on the mountain. According to Owens, the foundation has grown significantly over the past decade as they branched out to other sports and geographic locations.
Today, the foundation has helped more than 1,000 kids throughout Central New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Vermont. It currently holds free basketball, soccer, swimming, and tennis clinics on four college campuses with volunteer varsity athletes.
Each clinic targets youth with physical and mental disabilities and seeks to introduce them to sports they may not have the opportunity to play on their own. Owens fondly recalled a soccer clinic they adapted for children in wheelchairs by teaching them to play the game with yoga balls.
Already present at Hartwick, Castleton, St. Mike’s and Dettenrieder’s alma mater; Muhlenberg College, the foundation hopes to continue to grow and influence more disabled children and young adults through sports.
“We have this great model,” said Owens “We could potentially do it anywhere.”
Glenbrook Gym was a surge of excitement Sunday afternoon for the annual EDD Memorial basketball clinic that brought disabled youth from the surrounding area to the court.
Hosted by Castleton’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, the event consisted of individual skill work, group drills, scrimmages, and concluded with an awards ceremony. Celebration dances and cheers from participants and coaches alike were an unexpected highlight to the day.
“The kids love it,” said Executive Officer Gretchen Owens. “I think it really makes them feel special.”
The enthusiasm and laughter of the Spartan’s were of equal measure to the kids they were teaching the sport.
“It’s really a win-win,” Owens said.
“It always feels good to give back to the community and it was a great experience,” said senior captain of the womens’ team Tarryn Bolognani.
The EDD Memorial Foundation began in 1997 to commemorate Owens’ brother, Eric Dettenrieder, who tragically lost his life in a skiing accident at the age of 23. Dettenrieder was a ski race coordinator at Hunter Mountain who enjoyed teaching terminally ill children to ski.
The foundation began small and originally honored Dettenrieder by continuing his work on the mountain. According to Owens, the foundation has grown significantly over the past decade as they branched out to other sports and geographic locations.
Today, the foundation has helped more than 1,000 kids throughout Central New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Vermont. It currently holds free basketball, soccer, swimming, and tennis clinics on four college campuses with volunteer varsity athletes.
Each clinic targets youth with physical and mental disabilities and seeks to introduce them to sports they may not have the opportunity to play on their own. Owens fondly recalled a soccer clinic they adapted for children in wheelchairs by teaching them to play the game with yoga balls.
Already present at Hartwick, Castleton, St. Mike’s and Dettenrieder’s alma mater; Muhlenberg College, the foundation hopes to continue to grow and influence more disabled children and young adults through sports.
“We have this great model,” said Owens “We could potentially do it anywhere.”
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