WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 11, 2022) -- To conclude the exciting and engaging NCAA Division III Week, the King's College athletic department was recognized as part of the NCAA Division III and Special Olympics "Decade of Inclusion" series for the Monarchs work and partnership with the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania over the past 12 years.

Special Olympics and NCAA Division III celebrate the 10-year anniversary of a partnership that has enhanced the lives of student athletes and Special Olympics athletes across the country. Initiated by the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the partnership provides a platform for athletes of all abilities to experience sports and friendship together. The "Decade of Inclusion" interview series will capture the past, present and future of this unique partnership.

Hosted by RJ Nealon, Special Olympics North America Athlete Reporter, and Abigail Newkirk, former soccer student-athlete and member of the Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative, this documentary series featured the story of King's and its partnership with Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Nealon and Newkirk spoke with Cheryl Ish, Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation, Megan Mundy, Assistant Athletic Director of Business and Operations and former Monarch student-athlete, and Aaron Keller, Special Olympics Pennsylvania athlete, about the 12-year partnership and their experiences throughout the years.

Ish recalls how the partnership started about 12 years ago when Special Olympics Pennsylvania reached out about using the King's facilities for basketball practice, and the relationship between King's Athletics and Special Olympics Pennsylvania blossomed to include Monarch student-athletes and Special Olympics Pennsylvania athletes teaming up to run various practices and events from there.

"I think it's the idea that our King's student-athletes look forward to Tuesday nights, just as much as everyone else," said Ish when asked about the engagement among all of the athletes. "When we first started, we thought we would have to organize what team would be volunteering that night. We realized that our student-athletes were getting so much out of the experience that they couldn't wait to be working and seeing everyone. It was so touching to see that it meant so much to everyone that was in that gym on those nights."

Keller remembers the amount of student volunteers and the connections he was able to make through practices and events and commented on what he is most excited for in the return of Special Olympics Pennsylvania to King's College's campus.

"Definitely the friendship with all the athletes," added Keller. "It's a highlight because It's a chance to be heard. Of course I'm looking forward to playing basketball, but the formal is a good way to celebrate the end of the season."

Mundy shared her unique experience from both sides as a former Monarch student-athlete and now as an administrator to see the growth of the partnership and the memories that everyone at King's has been able to make through the past 10 years. She provided some thoughts and hopes for the future direction of this partnership.

"Right now, we're just anxiously awaiting an opportunity for a reunion and to get things started again," said Mundy. "Honestly, our student-athletes are so open to anything and eager to get back to this unique partnership. We're open to maybe seeing if we could incorporate something for the fall semester, especially student-athletes who haven't been able to participate before in the spring."

You can view all of the interviews, information, and materials about the Special Olympics Decade of Inclusion Series below:
- Special Olympics website
- Decade of Inclusion series homepage.
- Video interview.

--MONARCHS--