Bridgewater State College

Aquatics Management Team

 For 15 years, John Harper, Sue Crosby-Tangen and their Games Management Team   

 have organized and implemented the Special Olympics South Sectional Aquatics 

 Tournament.  Each year the Athletic and Associate Athlete Directors of Bridgewater   

 State gather a team made up of new and returning students, administrative staff 

 members, facilities staff, student-athletes, coaches, and members of the surrounding 

 communities together in order to make this event a success. 

 Harper has been recognized for his long-time involvement with Special Olympics.  He 

 has earned the Massachusetts Outstanding Games Director of the Year Award in 1999 

 and the Hanlon Award for Volunteerism in 2003.

 Not only does the BSC Games Management Team take a weight off the south section’s 

 shoulders in respect to the Aquatics event, they also assist with the Coach’s Clinic held 

 at Bridgewater each fall.   Special Olympics MA (SOMA) provides free opportunities for

 their volunteer coaches to become certified coaches and specialists in their respective 

 sports.

 “We are so grateful to not only John and Sue for their commitment of 15 years to

 SOMA, but also to the Bridgewater State College community,” says Megan Benevides, 

 SOMA associate south section director. “A volunteer based organization; we could not

 offer what we do to our athletes without the help of fantastic volunteers like the BSC

 Games Management Team. I would like to acknowledge all the behind the scenes work

 and planning that goes into making this event such a success,” said Benevides. “Thank

 you John and Sue, we hope we’re celebrating 30 years with you someday!”

 When asked what inspired BSC to bring together a Games Management Team to

 volunteer with Special Olympics MA, Crosby-Tangen replied, “John had had previous 

 involvement with Special Olympics at his prior institutions and was very excited about

 bringing a Special Olympics event to BSC.  I just tagged along for the good time!”

 “The nice part about this program is that each year brings a different set of wonderful

 memories.  Whether it is because we have such a great group of people on the

 management team, the athlete base gets bigger and bigger, or the event itself is smooth

 and well run all around,” says Associate Athletic Director, Sue Crosby-Tangen.  “Each

 year just gets better.”

 Last year, 220 athletes from all over southeastern MA competed in the Aquatics event. 

 With the help and support from the BSC Games Management Team, SOMA is hopeful

 for an even larger athlete turnout this year!

 Thank you again, John, Sue and the entire BSC Games Management Team for your 

 undying help, hard work, and enthusiasm!