MoWest Athletics hosted 5th Annual Play Unified Day

By: Darren Doyle

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Despite new coaching staffs for both basketball programs, Missouri Western State University's Athletics continued its annual tradition of Play Unified Day.

Play Unified Day was co-hosted by Special Olympics Missouri, which brought together athletes from diverse backgrounds at MWSU Fieldhouse in the Looney Complex for a night of basketball drills, games, and fun. The night concluded with pizza, and every camper received a commemorative t-shirt. 

The idea to continue this positive impact on the community was straightforward, according to Ryan Menley, senior associate athletic director of external relations for MoWest Athletics. 

"(Play Unified) has been one of the things that a lot of our student athletes look forward to, and a lot of our Special Olympians do too," Menley said. "Obviously, a staff regime change. But I think that's what's really cool, is something that Coach Hood started back in 2021 continues to this day with a bunch of new coaches, because they recognize the importance and the fun of it too".

Familiar faces in Tom Smith court are rare; however, returning Senior Meredith Rieker was able to communicate to her new teammates and coaches how much Play Unified means to the community. 

"(This is) so much bigger than basketball. I mean, this is what we do, and we came to college for this, but outside of the court, and like we come to play, but there's so much more to who we are as people," Rieker shared. "Who we are as a team, who our coaches are. This is why we're here for basketball, but it goes so far beyond that."

Learning about this tradition was crucial for Brooks McKowen, who is entering his first year as head coach of the Griffons Men's Basketball team.

McKowen was happy to get to know his team better in this unique environment as they welcomed individuals from the community.

"I think that's one of the coolest parts about this, too, is our men's team and women's team are doing it together, and they're performing it together. So I get to know some of the women's players better than I did before, and our guys will get to know them," McKowen said. "It's just a collaboration of everybody here at Missouri Western Athletics and Special Olympics coming together to make a great event."

For more information on MoWest Athletics, click here.