A one-of-a-kind basketball event took place at WCU on Thursday, March 27. The basketball game unites students in the University Participant Program, athletes and the community. The event is designed to enhance and promote inclusivity at WCU.
The UP Program is a program for college-aged individuals who have intellectual disabilities. The goal of the program is to facilitate UP students’ transition from secondary school to adult life with education, employment and independent living. There is a maximum enrollment of 12 students at a time.
In this event, students in the UP Program had the opportunity to become Catamount student-athletes. The event included a full home Catamounts basketball game experience in the Ramsey Center. Each team was compiled of players from WCU men’s and women’s basketball teams and UP program participants. Coach Jonathan Tsipis and Coach Tim Craft led each team.
“It was the most magical night in my life,” student in his second year in the UP program, Lucas Atencio, said after the game.
Atencio was one of around nine UP students who played in the game and signed posters after the game. The event was organized by the Student Event Coalition on campus in coordination with the athletics department and supported by WCU Student Government Association.
“Is this not amazing to see these young adults come and play with our basketball players and the crowd and the students that were all here. Is this not amazing,” Chancellor Kelli Brown, said happily.
Coaches and players were also excited and enjoyed the high energy and overall fun of the game.
“[I’m] proud of the Western community for supporting these really extraordinary students…I hope it is back next year. I know Coach Craft and I are completely behind having our players involved as well,” Tsipis said after the game.
WCU senior women’s basketball player, Chelsea Wooten was excited to be back on the court one last time and was happy to participate in such an event.
“Being able to play in the Ramsey Center one last time was fun and the environment was really fun as well… I think today’s game gave them joy that others came out to support them,” Wooten said.
The finale of the event was post-game interviews with the UP participants about their experience participating in the game and signing autographs.
Supplies, like player cards and posters, quickly ran out so fans got creative, having the students sign arms, money and clothing.
WCU cheer team partnered with the UP Program and had the students cheer with them. The dance team and the Pride of the Mountains pep band and the WCU Purple Thunder drum line were also there.
There was a ton of excitement and cheer around the event. The whole middle of the dedicated student section was filled up to the top. If I had to guess, there were no fewer than 500 people in attendance. The Ramsey Center was loud and the fans showed up for the event in a way no one anticipated.
