Special Olympics

reaps benefits of

CSS scholarship

NEW ULM -- "The Wild Bunch" is in New Ulm.

It's a name that creates a vision of a group that possesses special talents, and puts fear into the opposition, which is exactly what this group of athletes does.

This "Wild Bunch" doesn't need shootouts and saloons to garner respect from folks, though. As members of two Special Olympics softball teams, these players show their abilities in ways that, in many cases, were unknown until this season.

In the past, special athletes had limited choices in being able to play on a team, but thanks to a Phillips Scholarship from College of St. Scholastica, former New Ulm Cathedral athlete Kathy Hazuka was able to spend this summer fulltime as coordinator and coach of two softball teams associated with the Special Olympics of New Ulm.

With past and present head coach Bob Childrey, Hazuka has opened up opportunities for special athletes not just to play a game, but experience teamwork and comradarie many of them may never have known.

Until this year, New Ulm was only able to sponsor one team, but the new program is more community based and offers more programs that includes everyone from age eight and older.

With Hazuka's efforts, 28 special athletes played for two Special Olympic New Ulm teams -- Team Green and Team Black -- and were able to participate in four tournaments instead of two.

"We've really come along with Kathy's help," said Childrey. "Because of her, we've been able to go to tournaments and improve. There's only a few players whose fathers played catch with them."

Hazuka had coached for three years previously with MBW, so applying for the scholarship that's designed to be a community service project that targets disadvantaged people was something with which she had experience.

The result has been Team Black taking first three times, and Team Green grabbing a second and third. But the real source of pride from all the Special Olympic coaches has been watching the players improve and have fun, knowing many of them have never been given the opportunity until this year to show what tremendous athletes they could be.

The players came up with the nickname, so it's time to meet "The Wild Bunch," with comments about each player provided by Childrey and Hazuka.

TEAM BLACK

Jerry Allen: 1B, excellent bat, sure-handed fielder, good team leader.

Jenny Bauer: Right field and utility, adapts to new positions well, a team player.

Mary Braun: Catcher, Rookie of the Year on Team Black, great job handling pitchers.

Joe Bender: Center field, consistent hitter, leads team in RBI

Jason Faaborg: Right field, first-year player, plays well with teammates.

Tom Forst: Left field, backup pitcher, excellent fielder that improved outfield.

Ron Hertling: 3B, original member fo first Special Olympics team, consistent player.

Gus Hoppe: Pocket, "spark plug" of the team, always cheering and enthusiastic.

Kevin Johnson: SS, sure handed fielder, lead-off hitter, hit in first at bat every game.

Karen Riederer: Pitcher, team captain. true leader on field.

Jay Rolloff: Outfield, nicknamed "The Wild Man" by Special Olympics volunteers, eager to learn and ready to play.

Tammy Suess: Utility player, "can do anything" attitude, eager and willing to play anywhere.

TEAM GREEN

Coached by Cathy Fischer, Sara Gieseke and Deb Steinbach.

Terry Bottenfield: 2B, great heart and determination, great leader on and off field.

Joan Dunham: OF, second year player, always working to improve her game.

Mary Garten: OF, always comes ready to play and cheer her teammates on.

Ron Hammerschmidt: Catcher, one half of the "dynamic duo," improved hitting this year.

Bonnie Schilman: Pitcher, other half of "dynamic duo," most improved on Team Green.

Gary Hohenstein: OF, 59 years old, first year of organized ball, 12 hits on season.

Charles Hoffmann: 3B, third year player, great team contributor.

Bob Meagher: OF, "Mr. Home Run," great enthusiasm.

Dwain Nielson: Ace of relief pitching squad, "elder statesman" at age 60.

Harold Peterson: DH, told he could never play softball; at age 61 is having a great rookie year.

Arnold Reinhart: OF, third year player, huge improvements from season to season.

Melissa Schroeder: OF and utility, rookie, works hard to improve throughout season.

Dennis Weber: Utility infielder, great fielder and aggressive on bases.

Richard Weber: Utility infielder, Dennis' identical twin, huge improvements this year.

Billy White: 1B, rookie, pleasant surprise, huge contributor on and off the field.

Jason Wolff: 1B, enthusiastic, rookie, works hard to improve hard at every practice.

With "The Wild Bunch" like this, who needs Hollywood?

Column by Dave Clark

Journal Sports Writer