MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee men's and women's basketball programs teamed up to host a clinic for approximately 75 individuals from Special Olympics Monday evening at the Klotsche Center.
 
Following welcome speeches from head coaches and administrators, Special Olympics athletes participated in six different drill stations that were led by Panther basketball student-athletes and also had the opportunity to shoot around with the teams.
 
"You get a chance to see some people that love basketball and they're having fun," Milwaukee men's head coach Rob Jeter said. "We get to do things that we love – coaching basketball and being around the game. It's just a fun time, especially when you see people that are excited about something and just want to be a part of that – that is what this is all about."



"We had over 75 athletes here and they build connections with our players," Milwaukee women's head coach Kyle Rechlicz said. "I think that when they see our players out in the public or come to one of our games, they feel like they're a part of our team and a part of our programs. Seeing that joy in their eyes and that connection is a huge part of what being a human being is all about. Everybody gets so much out of this."
 
It was a great night for all involved. Seven different area Special Olympic Wisconsin basketball teams participated.
 
"This is our first year doing the clinic with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and their basketball teams," Special Olympics Regional Director Jason Blank said. "We started a good relationship with them last year and have continued it this year. This is the first clinic that we have run with them and hoping it's a relationship we can keep growing."

Following the clinic, everyone posed for a group photo and Milwaukee players signed autographs for the participating Special Olympians.
 
"As a team, we get a lot out of this experience," men's player J.J. Panoske said. "It's good to get out in the community, it's good to work with Special Olympics. Just be there for other people and let them get to know us as well as getting to know them."