FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo athletic department played host to its annual Montevallo Official Olympics event April 10, inviting Montevallo Elementary School students for a day filled with sporting events and a pizza party following the closing ceremony.

Fifth-grade students represented five countries, including the United States of America, Canada, Great Britain, Norway and Ireland, as well as the University of Montevallo during the event.

The students competed against each other in an Olympic format in basketball, soccer and track and field while pledging to compete with sportsmanship and respect for fellow students during the event.

Several University of Montevallo athletic teams helped organize the event. Coaches and student-athletes from the Falcons’ volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s cross country, women’s cross country and women’s track and field, as well as members of the administrative staff and training staff, participated as game coaches and officials during the competition.

“Today’s event was once again a brilliant success and we have a wonderful time hosting the Montevallo Elementary School fifth-graders in our annual MOO day event,” said Patricia Hughes, assistant athletic director for external relations. “The University of Montevallo athletic department spreads the message of service, which is one of the founding principles of NCAA Division II. We had a fantastic collaboration of both the University of Montevallo and the Montevallo Elementary School. Our goal is to instill community pride and raise awareness for good health, sportsmanship, and this year’s new added theme of “anti-bullying,” and by all accounts we succeeded in doing so. There is tremendous value to our community outreach and gives a greater identity to who we are; as an organization who cares about our students and community!”

Click here for a video from the Montevallo Official Olympics .