Competition for a Good Cause

“All the single ladies! All the single ladies!” How do you pause a crab-walk relay and start a short dance party where MBA students and Special Olympic athletes from all over the country are gathered for a very special occasion? Well, you just ask! And that is precisely what Bradford, one of the Wake Forest MBA team’s Special Olympic athletes, did last weekend at the 2010 MBA games … and subsequently started a brief dance party right in the middle of the relay! One Beyonce finished, crab-walking resumed.

Sponsored by Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and located on Duke’s east campus fields, the 2010 MBA Games was weekend of both fun and challenging events – all in honor of and to raise money for Special Olympics. Wake Forest University sent a team that included full-time students, an evening student, and a spouse; the group included Diego Espinoza, Traci Lee, Matt Starker, Matt Phillips, Jeff Hayes, Kelly Hayes, Ian Jankelowitz, Martha Ferger, and Molly Nunn – and two Special Olympic athletes, Ben and Bradford.

The event began on Friday night where teams gathered and competed in a skit competition and then on Saturday morning, the games began! Starting at 7 am, there was a 5k race followed by the opening ceremony around 8:30am. Teams competed in a wide range of events from cornhole, to the football throw, to the three-legged/wheel barrow business suit race, to the egg toss, soccer shoot-out, brief case toss, tug-o-war, dizzy bat, and all the way to water events. Phew! There was an intense spirit of competition during the day, but it was overshadowed by the unique experience of being able to spend time and get to know our athletes. It was an honor to be a part of their day and work with them through each of the athletic challenges.

Once the day was winding down, there was a closing ceremony in which each of the athletes was called up, one-by-one, to receive their medals. We were able to meet and exchange emails with one of our athlete’s parents and later that night, there was a banquet to commemorate and close the weekend. Overall, it was a truly wonderful experience that not only included bonding as a Wake Forest team but also having the opportunity to get to know two fine Special Olympic athletes and gentlemen. I cannot wait until next year’s games.

-Molly Nunn