KU Men's Basketball Plays Host to Special Olympians

Jan. 8, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

The University of Kansas men’s basketball team played host to more than 150 Special Olympians at Allen Fieldhouse for the 22nd Annual Wilt Chamberlain Basketball Clinic Sunday afternoon.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

“This would be a good way to spend a Sunday no matter how the game went yesterday,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said, referring to KU’s 73-46 win against No. 19 Kentucky. “Our players have a great time. The more you do it, the more you enjoy it and jump in headfirst. Our guys do a good job with this but it’s great to see the smiles on these faces when they make a shot or dunk or pass.”

The clinic is sponsored by former KU legend Wilt Chamberlain who left the money to fund the event in his estate.

“Before Wilt passed, he wanted to sponsor and put his name on this event with Special Olympics,” Self said. “It’s pretty neat to see a guy of his magnitude help somebody that didn’t have the same hand that he had the opportunity with. There are a lot of happy faces here today.”