Canton, NY – More than 100 Special Olympians accompanied by SUNY Canton student-athletes and volunteers of the community took part in the 2017 New York State Special Olympics Summer Games on Saturday, May 6th on SUNY Canton's campus.
  This was the fifth straight year the institution hosted the North Country Region's games. The day began with the opening parade as the Olympians entered the track in the field house through a Roos tent and took a lap around to the roar of enthusiastic cheers that filled the Roos House. SUNY Canton President Dr. Zvi Szafran officially declared the North Country Region Summer Games open.

The competition began shortly after 10 a.m. and consisted of approximately 15 events including track and field events such as 25, 50 100 and 200 meter walk and runs, softball and javelin throws, bean bag toss, soccer kicks and basketball skill events and games. The events took place inside the Roos House, inside the ice arena and nearby Dana Hall. The event continues to be a tremendous experience for the Special Olympians, the SUNY Canton Athletics department and the community as a whole.

SUNY Canton would like to give a special thank you to its student-athletes, coaches and members of the athletics department, the SUNY Canton Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Janet Parcell-Mitchell and her students from the Health and Fitness Promotions major, Deb Molnar and her students from the Physical Therapist Assistant major, students from the Sports Management major, Clarkson University Physical Therapy students, the Knights of Columbus in Canton, Beth Demo and all of the Special Olympics volunteers and coaches and the SUNY Canton College Association for making and delivering lunch to the more than 300 people participating.
 
"It is one of the best days of the year for us," said Athletic Director Randy B. Sieminski. "I'm extremely proud of the participation of our student-athletes, faculty, staff and volunteers. Over the years we continue to get to know more Special Olympians and it makes the relationship that much more rewarding. This day always sticks out as one of the most satisfying experiences for our student-athletes and they always remember the relationships they have created with the Special Olympians."

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About SUNY Canton
SUNY Canton is Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses, as well as 10 exclusively online bachelor's degrees. The college's 15 athletic teams compete as members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.