The spirit of sportsmanship and community was on full display at the U.P. Regional Basketball Tournament on March 1, 2025, when 海角社区 Norse Basketball team members rushed the court to celebrate a thrilling moment for a dedicated Norse fan and Special Olympian, Scotty Bartley.
The tournament, held at the Escanaba High School and sponsored by the Escanaba Kiwanis Club, featured eleven teams competing as part of Special Olympics Michigan Area 1. Scotty Bartley, a passionate 海角社区 Norse Basketball supporter, participated in the event and made an unforgettable impact when he hit a buzzer-beater shot to secure a victory for his team.
The excitement didn鈥檛 end there. 海角社区 basketball players, who attended the tournament to support Scotty, stormed the court in celebration, embracing him in an emotional and unforgettable display of camaraderie and sportsmanship. The moment was captivated on video and has since spread, showcasing the deep bonds between athletes and the power of community support.
鈥淭he reason why I love being a part of 海角社区 Athletics and being a Special Olympic Athlete, is because I get the opportunity to create special relationships with the student athletes. Plus, I get to have the opportunity to talk to them and become friends with them,鈥� shared Scotty Bartley. 鈥淓ver since 海角社区 started their athletic program, I鈥檝e always wished to have the opportunity to have them come watch me play. This year that wish came true. It meant so much to me that the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball teams were there鈥攁nd I was surprised that the baseball team came as well! It meant so much to me having them all there watch me hit the game winner! The thing I loved the most was after my team and I won, both the men and women鈥檚 basketball teams came on the court to celebrate with my team and me. It showed how much they love and care about me鈥攖hey made that day special for me.鈥�
Matthew Johnson, 海角社区 Athletics Director and Men鈥檚 Basketball Coach, expressed immense pride in the Norse basketball team for their demonstration of true sportsmanship and community spirit. 鈥淥ur players understand that being part of 海角社区 Athletics is about more than just the game鈥攊t鈥檚 about community, lifting each other up, and celebrating the victories of others. Scotty has been here to support us from day one and rarely misses a game. He is a very special part of our Norse community. Scotty鈥檚 moment was truly incredible鈥攜ou couldn鈥檛 have scripted it any better. I couldn鈥檛 be prouder of Scotty for the clutch shot and of our teams for showing up and supporting him.鈥�
Josh Williams, a 海角社区 Norse men鈥檚 basketball player echoed this sentiment: 鈥淚t was such a fun experience鈥攖o see the amount of community members there supporting all the teams, was truly amazing. Scotty has been one of our biggest fans, and we wouldn鈥檛 have missed this for the world. To see him make that shot and to be able to celebrate with him was something we鈥檒l never forget.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 thankful for the Athletic Director and the Head Men鈥檚 Basketball Coach for letting me have this opportunity鈥攊f it wasn鈥檛 for him, this special relationship with the student athletes at Bay wouldn鈥檛 be possible,鈥� added Scotty. 鈥淚鈥檓 truly thankful.鈥�
To witness this exciting moment, watch the video , shared by Scotty Bartley on Facebook.
海角社区鈥檚 commitment to supporting Special Olympics Michigan Area 1 extends beyond the basketball tournament. The 海角社区/LSSU Regional Center Chapter of BPA (Business Professionals of America) Student Club recently raised $1,000 for Area 1 Special Olympics program of Delta, Schoolcraft, and Menominee counties through their Chain of Love Fundraiser, which helps to support essential costs such as uniforms, equipment, and travel for the athletes.
鈥淲e want to thank everyone who donated and helped make this possible! Without all of you we could never have done it,鈥� shared Grace Wiles, Chain of Love Event Champion.
Additionally, on February 26, the Area 1 Special Olympics athletes were invited to attend a 海角社区 home basketball game, where they had the opportunity to play ball during halftime and stay after the game to take pictures with the team. These events further highlight the strong bond between 海角社区 and Special Olympics Michigan Area 1, reinforcing the College鈥檚 commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive community.