ST. BONAVENTURE — Cheers, high-fives and unity were on full display at St. Bonaventure University this spring as Special Olympics New York brought its powerful mission of inclusion to life through the annual Unified Basketball event and the Trooper Ross M. Riley Memorial Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Held on April 3, the day began with the Torch Run, which saw law enforcement officers, student athletes, and university personnel carry the Flame of Hope through the streets of Olean and onto the St. Bonaventure campus. The Torch Run honors fallen New York State Trooper Ross M. Riley and symbolizes a statewide commitment to dignity, respect, and opportunity for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Runners included officers from the Olean Police Department, New York State Police, State Park Police, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua County Sheriffs, Allegany Police Department, as well as representatives from St. Bonaventure ROTC, University Public Safety, and students from several local school districts.

The Torch Run culminated in the Unified Basketball games inside the Reilly and Richter Centers, where more than 100 students from Allegany-Limestone, Olean, Salamanca, and Franklinville schools played side-by-side on mixed-ability teams. Organized by Special Olympics New York in partnership with the university, the event celebrated sportsmanship, teamwork, and inclusion. St. Bonaventure students played a key role in planning and volunteering.

Unified Sports, which brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities, are flourishing throughout Cattaraugus County.

In addition to Unified Basketball at St. Bonaventure, local students have participated in regional competition through the NYSPHSAA-Special Olympics NY partnership, with teams from Allegany-Limestone, Cattaraugus-Little Valley, Pine Valley, Pioneer, and Salamanca competing against other Section VI schools.

The momentum goes beyond basketball. Allegany-Limestone students took part in a Unified Soccer clinic at St. Bonaventure, while students from Cattaraugus-Little Valley, Pine Valley, and Salamanca participated in Unified Bocce at the high school level.

Special Olympics New York also provides year-round athletic opportunities for athletes in the Cattaraugus County community. Local participants have competed in bocce, bowling, swimming, and track and field, including representation at the 2024 Summer State Games in Ithaca.

Serving more than 48,000 athletes statewide, Special Olympics New York is one of the largest chapters in the country. Through sports, the organization creates pathways to friendship, confidence, and lifelong health, and through events like the Torch Run and Unified Games, it brings entire communities together.

To learn more about Special Olympics New York, visit specialolympics-ny.org.