MOUNT VERNON — If points were awarded for enthusiasm, the Knox County Eagles Special Olympics basketball team might well be making a run at the Final Four.
The Eagles beat the Bad Boys community leaders 57-53 on Friday evening at the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Ariel Arena before a strong crowd. Paul McNeal one of the Bad Boys and Assistant to the athletic Director explained why a game like this is important.
“We’ve tried for the last 10 years or so to show support for all of Knox County but especially for Knox (Developmental Disabilities), we just want to try and be answer to some of this,” McNeal said.
There was a strong police presence at the event, but not for security. Chief Robert Morgan said he believes events like this are important for several reasons.
“It’s just fun, good interaction with the community,” Morgan said. “It’s good for my people and it’s good for the people of the community to see us like this.”
Thom Collier of Emerge Realty was glad to give time to the effort.
“This is great, it brings awareness to the Special Olympics and to our community,” Collier said. “We are just having a lot of fun. They are a great team and the players have a chance to showcase their talents.”
Assistant Chief of Police Andrew Burns agreed with his Chief.
“This is the kind of event that creates real connections in the community,.” Burns said “Sports have a way of bringing people together and tonight these athletes are doing just that.”
