Making A Difference

Alumnus Coaches Special Olympics Team

Greg Mazurkiewicz, Class of 1968, is still involved in basketball nearly 50 years after graduation. After stints as a grade school and high school coach, nowadays, the benchman coaches a special needs basketball team in St. Clair Shores. The recent retiree and his wife Margaret started the program 11 years ago, and for the last ten years, the team has competed through Special Olympics Michigan. www.somi.org Greg’s son Stephen is autistic, and Greg and Margaret first got Stephen involved in the the St. Clair Shores special needs softball program which began in 1999. The teams played in a local Eastside league, with coaches pitching and all players in the field. A few years later, one of the special needs parents asked about starting a basketball program. Greg was interested. “Basketball is my favorite sport. In high school I was a tall player, but was not a ‘big’ player on the team. We had a seven-man rotation that played every game in ‘68, and I was one of the players that came off the bench. The star of the team was Frank Merrick, who was later inducted into the De La Salle Hall of Fame.” With Margaret’s help, the special needs team found gym time. Greg became certified as a coach through Special Olympics. “The parents are usually the coaches, and they are trained in the fundamentals of basketball and what to teach during practices. More importantly, they learn the rules and proper conduct for working with special needs kids, particularly disciplining appropriately.” Greg’s team has a 14-man roster, aged teen through mid-30’s. On March 4, the team won its third straight regional championship. A couple of years ago, Greg contacted Greg Esler, DLS Varsity Basketball Coach who also runs the

St. Clair Shores Parks and Recreation Department. They set up an opportunity for the Special Olympics team to practice with the Pilots, and attend a game. They did it again this season. “It was a great experience,” says Greg Mazurkiewicz. “The kids loved it. The parents loved it. It was a great time for everyone.” Greg’s son lives at home, and is involved in various activities throughout the community. “In Michigan, special needs education is available until age 26. Stephen currently attends a workshop, and he enjoys bowling through a special needs program in St. Clair Shores.” Greg’s daughter Becky, now 35, is a doctor in New York City. His De La Salle education has helped Greg with Stephen. “My Christian Brothers DLS education helped me with having a special needs son. It was a big adjustment. You have to adjust your outlook and attitude.”