CLEVELAND -- Bates College has received third place honors in the Special Olympics Activity Category of the 2020-21 NADIIIAA Community Service Awards, as announced Thursday by the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators.

The Bates Special Olympics Club was one of 30 different institutions that competed in the inaugural Special Olympics Unified Sports Virtual College Championship week. Throughout the week, team members connected and spread a message of inclusion through social media, competing against each other while following COVID-19 guidelines. Bates worked with the Navigators program that is part of John F. Murphy homes, a highly respected provider of services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities.

"The ESPN Virtual College Championship Week was an important moment for our club because it was a week-long series of fun activities that was accessible for all.," Bates Special Olympics Club president and field hockey senior Bridget Thompson (Newtown, Pa.) said. "This meant that, although COVID certainly had its challenges, we were able to find ways to connect and compete despite them.

"It was so special to see people from all parts of the Bates community coming together to support our Unified team, whether it was students-athletes, coaches, administration, or even the President of our school herself! I think since that time, our club has continued to grow on campus and in the greater Lewiston-Auburn community which is something super exciting to see."

The NADIIIAA Community Service Awards program, established in 2001, is intended to recognize the many contributions Division III student-athletes regularly make to their campuses and local communities. Recognition is given for projects in three categories: One-Time Activity/Project, Array of Projects, and Special Olympics Activity. 

About NADIIIAA: NADIIIAA athletics administrators from over 350 institutions and conferences competing at the NCAA Division III level. The Association encourages the continued development of athletics programs focused on the student-athlete and based on sound educational principles and the Division III philosophy. NADIIIAA is administered by NACDA, which is in its 55th year. For more information on NACDA, the 17 professional associations and/or three foundations it manages, please visit www.nacda.com.