April 26, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., - A new Blue-White Weekend tradition got off to a roaring start Sunday as more than 800 runners and walkers participated in the First Annual Beaver Stadium 5K Run/Family Fun Walk to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
More than $35,000 was raised for Special Olympics Pennsylvania with donations still arriving.
Sue Paterno, former Nittany Lion standout Franco Harris, law enforcement officials and several members of the Penn State football team greeted the runners and walkers as they entered the south tunnel of Beaver Stadium and made their way to the finish at the 50-yard-line.
"It went beyond our expectations," said Paterno, who is a long-time supporter, volunteer and organizer with Special Olympics. "We had more than 800 runners and walkers and everyone was just great. We had a lot of walk-ups. Franco was fabulous, the Penn State staff was great, the Lion Ambassadors and Paterno Fellows were among the volunteers, Irving's donated at least 500 bagels, the T-shirts were donated...it was just a fabulous start for this event."
A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Harris also is a long-time supporter of Special Olympics. Paterno said he served as the honorary chair for the first Special Olympics Pennsylvania state Summer Games held on Penn State's University Park campus.
Among the current Nittany Lions who greeted the runners and walkers, signed autographs and posed for photos were: running back Hykeem Brodie (Portsmouth, Va.), wide receiver Justin Brown (Wilmington, Del.), quarterback Shane McGregor (Ebensburg) and quarterback Kevin Newsome (Portsmouth, Va.).
All participants received an official Beaver Stadium Run T-shirt, bottled water and other refreshments and were eligible for gifts and prizes.
Joe and Sue Paterno were inducted into the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hall of Fame in 2008.
Special Olympics Pennsylvania annually holds its state Summer Games on Penn State's University Park campus in June, with more than 2,000 athletes, 750 coaches and 2,000 volunteers from across the Commonwealth participating. The 2010 event will be held June 10-12.
About Special Olympics Pennsylvania
Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round training and competition in 22 Olympic-type sports to more than 20,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities. For more information about how SOPA inspires greatness, visit www.specialolympicspa.org.