As one of NSU’s homecoming week events, the “Sallarulo’s Race for Champions 5K” and the first annual “Carnival of Champions” will be held outside the Alvin Sherman Library on its quad, Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The race and carnival are hosted by the Special Olympics, which provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 800 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in over 20 sports.
Registration is $10 for NSU students and $25 for NSU faculty, staff, and the public. Public registration rates will increase to $40 after Nov. 7 All registered participants will receive a free goodie bag and free access to the Carnival of Champions, which will begin after the race.
Commemorative race tank tops will be awarded to public participants who raise at least $100. All proceeds will go to the Special Olympics of Broward County.
Jodi Jabs, event committee member and graduate assistant for Leadership Development in the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement said, “Even though registration costs are inexpensive, it is important that teams and individuals set their goals higher and try to fundraise as much as they can.”
NSU President George Hanbury created the university’s race team, NSU 500, and is its captain. Hanbury said, “I am very proud of the fact that NSU is the only university in the nation to house Special Olympics on its campus. As such, our students get to work with the Special Olympics. Special Olympics does such wonderful work. They’re a good group of young men and women.”
As an athlete in football, wrestling, and marathons for 30 years, Hanbury has always loved to go running wherever he travels. With his “runner’s high,” he was inspired to create NSU 500 to bring together the NSU community in supporting the Special Olympics. Hanbury said that he is not focused on how much money the team can raise, but on the experiences that NSU students can get out of giving back to the community.
He said, “I think giving back is very important and I’d like to establish a culture of giving back, even after students graduate, I hope they continue to do so. Give back to a worthy cause and help improve mankind.”
About eight years ago, NSU Board of Trustees member Paul Salarullo introduced the late Don Taft, a businessman and philanthropist, to Hanbury. Taft was one of NSU’s major donors. Taft expressed his strong passion for the Special Olympics and the organization moved its offices to the main NSU campus in Davie, Fla.
Valerie Vitale, Sallarulo’s Race for Champions race manager, works on the main campus with the Special Olympics of Broward County. She hopes to raise $250,000 this year.
Vitale said, “It will be a day to celebrate inclusion, in which people with and without disabilities run together in the race and celebrate together at the carnival. There are misconceptions about people with disabilities, so it’s important for us to let people get to know our athletes, not just donate. They will see that there aren’t many differences between them.”
Special Olympics athletes will have a big presence at the event all day, including performing on stage and being emcees.
Vitale said, “Our long-term vision is for everyone to view people with disabilities as equal.”
There will be many things to look forward to at this day of celebration. Special Olympic athletes will lead the event and major sports teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heats and Miami Marlins, among others, will come to support fellow athletes.
Special Olympics athlete Thomas Michaud, who serves on the event’s committee said, “I am looking forward to the Carnival and to meeting all the professional athletes that are coming out to support us.”
The Carnival of Champions will have games, free food, vendors, and entertainment. NSU’s Sharkettes dance team, NSU’s Cheerleaders, and nine of NSU’s sororities and fraternities will all hold performances.
Jabs said, “We are striving to get over 2,000 people to attend the event and 500 of them to be from the NSU community.”
Registration is available online at www.firstgiving.com/raceforchampions. For more information on registering and volunteering, call Valerie Vitale at 954-262-2150 or Jodi Jabs at 954-262-8459.
