TOWSON, Md. – The annual basketball clinic with the Hussman Center for adults with Autism took on added meaning for sophomore Shavonne "Scoop" Smith of the Towson women's basketball program and redshirt freshman
Nicolas Timberlake.
It was personal.
"My little sister is also on the autism spectrum," Smith said. "To be able to spend time, have fun and work out with others on the spectrum while making them feel good is a nice feeling. My sister looks up to me. And whatever I do, she wants to do as well. Whenever I have hard days in basketball, I just think about her and how she wants to be like me growing up, so I always keep pushing."
Both basketball squads have been rolling, each winning six consecutive games.
Towson's student-athletes understand how blessed they are to be in a position to make a positive impact. The minor aches and pains and preparing for tough games later this week took a backseat as both teams had a blast hosting their annual autism clinic Tuesday afternoon inside of the Towson Center.
"I have some special needs relatives in my family," Timberlake said. "On a day like this, it's very heartwarming to be around others and share some of our time doing something we are lucky to do. To know we made someone's day just by making them smile is something we don't take for granted. The best part was getting to relax and have fun with them."
Today autism affects 1 in 59 children in the U.S. and more than 70 million people worldwide, according to the Coaches Powering Forward website.
The clinic was conducted ahead of Towson's Autism Awareness weekend as the men host the College of Charleston on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. The women's annual autism game will be on Sunday, Feb. 16, also against the College of Charleston at 2 p.m. Both teams will wear special blue autism uniforms during the games.
The Coaches Powering Forward for Autism initiative was created in 2014 by University of South Florida assistant coach
Tom Herrion and Towson head coach
Pat Skerry, who's youngest son Owen is also on the autism spectrum.
The clinic was also personal for Towson women's basketball head coach
Diane Richardson. She has two children on the autism spectrum. Earlier this season, the Tigers hosted Kent State, which features Kailin Bennett, believed to be the first Division I men's basketball scholarship player.
"This is really meaningful to see our participants at the Hussman Center get together with the men's team and now the women's team," said Rufus Platt, a full-time program supervisor at the Hussman Center.
"Running drills, shooting hoops and having a good time. The interaction between everybody was really authentic and you could just feel the positive energy throughout the gym. Towson does a good job to take the extra time to make sure everybody is included. Both coaches have done an amazing job of providing this opportunity."
ABOUT THE HUSSMAN CENTER FOR ADULTS WITH AUTISM
The Hussman Center for Adults with Autism provides cutting-edge programming, training and resources for adults on the autism spectrum, Towson University students, professionals and others in the community. We offer two primary types of programs:
1) Group programs for neuro-diverse individuals that are offered in the spring, summer and fall featuring inclusive Towson University student involvement.
2) College Orientation & Life Activities (COLA) for Towson University students who are on the autism spectrum. This program provides support in planning for success as a college student.
The Hussman Center also promotes research about our innovative program model and sharing of this model with other universities, professional groups, and community organizations.
ABOUT COACHES POWERING FORWARD
Autism Speaks Coaches Powering Forward was created in 2014 after NCAA Coaches
Pat Skerry and Tom Herrion embarked on a mission to raise awareness of autism. Inspired by their sons, both diagnosed with autism, they made a simple request to fellow coaches: Wear the Autism Speaks blue puzzle piece pin during the televised February weekend games. In an overwhelming response, more than 82 NCAA coaches and broadcasters took to the sidelines and airwaves throughout the weekend wearing the puzzle pin.
By 2018, the support soared to 375 NCAA coaches wearing the pins and more than 420 schools showing their support of people with autism. The 2020 goal is to continue to grow this initiative to include all Division I programs, along with other divisions and provide basketball coaches, their teams and schools with an even greater opportunity to increase global understanding and acceptance of people with autism.
