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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Hundreds Rally to Support Special Olympics Athletes at the 5th Annual Sallarulo’s Race for Champions
800 local Special Olympics athletes benefit from funds raised at race held on Nova Southeastern University’s campus
During the awards ceremony at the 2010 Sallarulo’s Race for Champions, the Don Taft Foundation generously donated $500,000 to Special Olympics Broward County. Athletes gathered to celebrate along with race founder Paul Sallarulo, Don Taft of the Don Taft Foundation, NSU Chancellor Ray Ferrero, Jr. and NSU President George L. Hanbury II.
FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – More than 1,000 runners and walkers recently rallied at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) to support local Special Olympics athletes by participating in the fifth annual Sallarulo’s Race for Champions 5K Run/Walk.
Racers begin their 5K journey at the 2010 Sallarulo’s Race for Champions. More than a thousand Special Olympics supporters and athletes came out to NSU in large groups to participate in the race.
The May 2 race raised more than $675,000 to benefit Special Olympics Broward County (SOBC), which provides FREE athletic programs to enrich the lives and improve the confidence of more than 800 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Through sports training and competition, Special Olympics athletes develop physically, socially, and psychologically.
Local Special Olympics athletes were on hand at the race to participate, cheer on runners, and present medals. The 2010 race was also held in memory of Agata “Ida” Sallarulo, George “Bob” W. Gill, Jr. and Melvin Zarefsky.
It was fitting that the race took place at NSU, as the university is now the permanent home of SOBC – the only chapter of Special Olympics in the nation that is housed on a college campus.
NSU’s men's basketball team also came out to support Special Olympics during the 2010 Sallarulo’s Race for Champions. The team is proud that NSU is the only university in the country to house a chapter of Special Olympics.
Sallarulo’s Race for Champions 5K Run/Walk was created by Paul Sallarulo, a member of the NSU Board of Trustees, to raise money for Special Olympics Broward County. In the past five years, the event has raised more than $2.275 million to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics.
“It is such an honor to help raise money for Special Olympics Broward County,” said Sallarulo, who is also chair of the SOBC board. “We had another great year and will keep building on the annual success of the race in the hope that it will become one of the largest in the country.”
For more information, please visit www.sallarulosraceforchampions.org or call (954) 262-2150.
How Race for Champions Was Born: Sallarulo’s Race for Champions was created by Paul, Patrick and Samantha Sallarulo to raise money for Special Olympics Broward County. Paul is a member of the NSU Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Wayne H. Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship, Dental School – Advisory Board, and President of the International NSU Alumni Association. Paul has been a strong supporter of Special Olympics and has been working with people with special needs since he was 16 years old. In 2006, Paul raised money for Special Olympics by collecting donations that spurred on his personal goal of completing a half marathon in Orlando to mark his 50th birthday. He finished the race and surpassed his fundraising goal, generating $130,000 in donations. He then wanted to create an event where the community could join him in his support of Special Olympics, so the 5K run/walk was born.
Media Contact:
Andra Liwag, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5309 (office), 954-873-8494 (cell), andrali@nova.edu