Boise State Construction Management builds up Special Olympics

The Olympics. To an athlete it is the highest honor and most esteemed competition. A chance to not only demonstrate abilities, but bask in the glory and pride that someone’s talent brings to their country. For people with intellectual disabilities, the Special Olympics offers the honor and glory, but most importantly it allows these distinctive Olympians the chance to do something extraordinary.

Next February, Boise will host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Special needs athletes who are at least eight years old from all over the world will congregate here for the momentous international event.

Steve Trimble, a representative from the Special Olympics, needed some help in a rush and called upon Boise State.

Neil Smart, president of Boise State construction management, led a team of eight volunteers in building two timing booths for the games next winter.

“This will be our signature project for the year,” John Carr, public relations officer for the club said.

The energy surrounding the project is palpable and the team is glad to be helping out. “Any opportunity we have to give back, we’re willing to take it up. We appreciate Special Olympics allowing us to be a part of this,” Carr said.

“This is the first day we have worked,” Pat Prescott, a student volunteer, said, “We’ve been working nights, till like three in the morning.”

The team of volunteer students worked throughout the evenings for just over a week before finishing the first booth.

Late nights seem to be commonplace with this crew; they enjoy working on large projects throughout the year.

When asked about their long hours each team member replied with a smile, proving that the time has been well spent and that on this particular project, the rewards vastly outweigh any pitfalls.

“It says a lot about Boise State, that we could all come together and work with the Special Olympics,” Carr said.

KAYLA CHRISTOPHERSON
Culture Writer

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