Special Rec All-Stars Gear Up For Basketball Day Saturday At OLCHS

OAK LAWN, IL — If you’re looking for a ray of sunshine in our cold winter, then go see the Oak Lawn Eagles from the park district’s special recreation department program this Saturday, Jan. 25.

The Eagles’ A, B, C and D teams will engage in four inter-squad exhibition games at Oak Lawn Community High School, 9400 Southwest Highway.

The Junior Jordans for players 8 through 15 will treat the crowd to a dazzling display of basketball skills. The all-woman Lady Eagles following in the footsteps of the WNBA will also be making their debut.

Doors open at noon, with opening ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Games start at 1:15 p.m. with the last game starting at 3:10 p.m., with a half-time show featuring the effervescent Oak Lawn Pep Squad, doing their cheer routines. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted at the door.

Oak Lawn Community High School athletes and dance team will support the athletes and pep squad.

It’s a day athletes look forward to all year, Oak Lawn Parks Special Recreation Supervisor Todd Mallo told Patch.

“The friendships are huge,” Mallo said. “These players have known each other since they were 8 and 9 years old, playing on the Junior Jordans. Their families are friends.”

Dan and Anne Fritz are in their final year of organizing the games before the torch is passed to Joanne and Phil Gowaski, who will take over as lead next year. Both couples belong to the Special Recreation Athletic Support Association cooperative. SRASA is a parent organization separate from the park district that raises money to help families with extra costs, such as purchasing uniforms and equipment, and training for the Special Olympics Illinois games. The Fritzes’ son, Ben, participates in the program.

“For Benjamin, this event has brought out the performer in him,” Anne Fritz said. “Giving him the confidence to ham-it-up in front of a large crowd. That confidence helps him in all aspects of his life.”

Oak Lawn Bank & Trust is a major sponsor and donor of this event, along with All Saints Lutheran Church in Orland Park and PepsiCo, who is donating concessions that will be sold at the game. Palermo’s on 95th is donating pizza.

The park district’s special rec basketball teams draw players from Bridgeview, Burbank, Evergreen Park, Chicago Ridge, Palos Heights, Crestwood and Hometown. Participants’ range in age from high school to 40. Many of the players have been shooting hoops together since 2005.

“You might recognize some faces on the court, and that is because these players have attended your schools or worshiped at your churches or participated in your programs,” Fritz said. “The first ever Basketball Day was at St. Linus Catholic School was 15 years ago, and has since been held at Brother Rice High School, Mother McAuley High School, Marist High School and Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School.”

While the squads will be playing before hundreds of family members and friends, the rest of the town is invited to pack the house, too. The parents cooperative will be raffling off a giant TV, with additional prizes including a Bundt Of The Month membership donated by Nothing Bundt Cakes and split-the-pot. Last minute raffle prizes will also be accepted.

Oak Lawn Bank & Trust is a major sponsor and donor of this event, along with , Uncle Bud's of Oak Lawn, All Saints Lutheran Church in Orland Park, Black Oak Tavern in Oak Lawn and PepsiCo, who is donating concessions that will be sold at the game. Palermo’s on 95th is donating pizza.