Junior Jordans and Eagles Face Off Saturday for Special Olympics Basketball Game

Special Olympics basketball teams and pep squad play at Mother McAuley High School on Saturday in fundraiser for special recreation programs.

  When the Junior Jordans and Eagles hit the court this weekend they’ll not only be showing how well they can play the game of basketball, they’ll be raising money for the special recreation programs that have been their lifeline to the community. The high school-aged Eagles and younger Junior Jordans will split their teams and square off against each other starting at noon Saturday (Jan. 19) at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School. Both Special Olympic teams have been practicing for the big game for weeks in anticipation of playing in front of a big crowd. And like the Broadway musical Damn Yankees, they’ll be doing it with style and heart. “Not only are these kids great athletes, they’re great entertainers,” organizer John Zawaski …

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Players Prepare for Special Olympics Basketball Game and Fundraiser

The Junior Jordans and Eagles will be playing at Mother McAuley next week. All the proceeds go toward providing special recreation opportunities.

The basketball players are practicing their dribbling, lacing up their sneakers and gearing up for next week's big game.  The Junior Jordans and Eagles will be playing on Jan. 19 at Mother McAuley High School. The game is not only a chance for the Special Olympics teams to play in front of a big crowd, but it also serves as a major fundraiser.  John Zawaski started the event five years ago as a way to raise money for the teams. They receive no government funding and the funds go not just toward the basketball teams, but supplement athletic and social programs for special needs children and adults. Zawaski says that event not only raises money, but raises awareness while giving the players an experience to remember. All for the cost of just…

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McAuley Hosts Special Olympic Basketball Day

Oak Lawn Park District's Junior Jordans and Eagles stage play inter-squad games in front of family and friends on Jan. 19.

A Brave Life: Special Olympian Gives Her Personal Best

Linda Sherwood played several sports in her lifetime, breaking preconceptions about developmentally challenged people every step of the way.

Linda Sherwood is a warrior. A fearless athlete, she has won more than 1,000 medals after four decades of participating in the Special Olympics. While the organization doesn't count medals—it’s “being brave in the attempt” that counts—she keeps her medals in a wooden chest, symbols of a brave life and doing her best. “I like Special Olympics because it meets my standards,” the Hometown woman said. “It’s at my level. Everybody has a level of what they can do.” After winning two gold medals and one silver in the Will-Cook District swim meet, Linda is state-bound for the Illinois Summer Games in June. For Linda, who has run, jumped, swam, bowled, pitched, power-lifted and skied her way through the glass ceiling during an era when few in …

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GALLERY: Special Olympics Stars Got Game

Community comes out to support Special Olympics athletes on basketball day at Brother Rice High School.

At the end of the day everyone was a winner and everyone was brave. Oak Lawn residents turned out in force to cheer on Oak Lawn’s Special Olympics Eagles and Junior Jordans for their annual basketball day at Brother Rice High School. The event was organized by the Oak Lawn Park District and SRASA Ltd., a parent organization that raises money for the park district’s special recreation programs. Here are some of the unforgettable highlights of “the greatest basketball, cheerling and sportsmanship on the South Side of Chicago.”

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Editor's Notebook

Eagles and Junior Jordans Play Big Game Saturday

Special Olympics athletes play two exciting basketball games at Brother Rice High School on Saturday Jan. 14 and the whole town is invited.

The Eagles and Junior Jordans hit the courts at Brother Rice High School on Saturday for the biggest game of the year. The Special Olympic teams square off for some thrilling and entertaining basketball, raising money for the Oak Lawn Park District’s special recreation programs. The high school-aged Eagles and younger Junior Jordans will split up their teams and face off against each other. “Not only are these kids great athletes, they’re great entertainers,” organizer John Zawaski said. READ: "Special Olympics Athletes Shoot for the Stars" The fun starts at noon Saturday, Jan. 14, at Brother Rice High School at 10001 S. Pulaski Road. The afternoon features two basketball games, plus special appearances by the Brother Rice Marching Band …

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Special Olympics Athletes Shoot for the Stars

Oak Lawn's Eagles and Junior Jordans entertain on media night as they prepare for annual Special Olympics game and fundraiser on Jan. 14.

Four years ago when Mikey Curtiss brought her autistic son, Scott, to his first basketball practice for the Junior Jordans Special Olympics team, they made it as far as the hallway. “When he was out in that hallway kicking and screaming and crying that he didn’t want to go in, we could have easily given up,” Curtiss said of her now 13-year-old son shooting baskets in the gym. “Now he runs in.” The Oak Lawn Eagles and Junior Jordans basketball squads gathered for a full-on practice before the media to promote their annual fundraising game at Brother Rice High School on Jan. 14. Proceeds will benefit the Oak Lawn Park District’s Special Recreation Department, which facilitates the Special Olympic teams. For the big game, the high school-aged…

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Jr. Jordans "B" Team: Patch Whiz Kids

Know of an outstanding kid, club or youth group? Nominate them for the Patch Whiz Kid.

Whiz Kids: The Jr. Jordans Special Olympics basketball "B" team, featuring Scott Curtiss, Anthony Tabascio, Brandon Brown, Adam Zieger, Kevin Ehmen, Josh Carroll, Mohamed Mouchmoucie, Ryan McGrath-Barnett, Luke Lenoci and John Wulff.

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Five Minutes With ...

Patch Spends Five Minutes with John Zawaski

Former commodities broker turned fundraiser is making waves in Oak Lawn.

He’s a former commodities trader that is earning quite a reputation as a big-hearted fundraiser in Oak Lawn. He’s probably best known for his tireless work to promote the local Special Olympics basketball game that was recently held at Brother Rice High School last Saturday. Also known for as a founder of the St. Linus Men’s Club, John Zawaski is as passionate about his new line of work as he is about the people it helps to benefit. Oak Lawn Patch: How long have you lived in Oak Lawn? John Zawaski: Twenty years. I grew up in Beverly. I went to St. John Fisher Parish and grammar school and I’m still a staunch Polish Catholic. I was the youngest of 10 kids, five brothers and four sisters.  Oak Lawn Patch: Tell me about that photo of you. …

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Special Olympic Basketball Team Ready For The Big Game

The Oak Lawn Park District Special Recreation held a media night on Jan. 4 to spread the word and share their talent with reporters and parents before the big fundraising game on Jan. 15.

 On Tuesday night the Brother Rice basketball court probably felt like pre-game at the United Center for the athletes on the Special Olympic Basketball team for a media night that brought out photographers, local reporters and a FOX news television crew. Although this year's Special Olympic Basketball game is not until Saturday, Jan. 15, it's never to early to get in a little practice or spread the word, and the two squads did just that. For the big game, the high school-aged Eagles and the younger Junior Jordans will split up their teams and face off against each other in two, exciting basketball games. The event was started by John Zawaski three years ago when he said he first realized that the Oak Lawn Park District Special Recreation …

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