GAMBIER, Ohio – The Kenyon College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (KSAAC) will once again serve as host for the Special Olympics Regional Basketball Skills Qualifying Event this Sunday, January 18, at the Lowry Center, continuing a longstanding tradition of service and community engagement through athletics.
Athletics has played an integral role at Kenyon College, not only on campus, but throughout the surrounding community, and KSAAC has consistently led the way in using sport as a platform for inclusion, advocacy, and impact. Following the success of last year's event, KSAAC is honored to welcome athletes, coaches, families, and volunteers back to Gambier for another meaningful day of competition and celebration.
The event is overseen by KSAAC advisors Mary Corbett, head women's basketball coach, and Doug Misarti, men's lacrosse head coach and assistant director of athletics. Misarti, who is entering his 19th season leading the men's lacrosse program, emphasized the importance of the partnership and the student-athletes who make the event possible.
"KSAAC has volunteered with the Special Olympics for a number of years now, both in the fall and spring and for this event," Misarti said. "A big thank you to Talisha Beha [Service and Support Administrator at Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities] for all her work and for giving us the opportunity to again be a part of something so impactful."
This year's Skills Regional Event is expected to welcome 50-60 Special Olympics athletes from across the region. Check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a welcome at noon and the start of the skills competition at 12:15 p.m. Stations will be set up throughout the gym to allow athletes to showcase their basketball fundamentals in a supportive and energetic environment.
New for 2026, Kenyon will also host play-in games for the Special Olympics regional team basketball tournament. Games will tip off at 1:00 p.m. in the MAC Gym, with additional contests shifting to the main gym following the conclusion of the skills event. The overall event is expected to conclude around 7:00 p.m.
