The Delaware Valley College field hockey team recently volunteered with the Bucks County Chapter of the Special Olympics at a track and field meet at Council Rock North High School.

Each Delaware Valley player teamed up with a Special Olympic athlete and supported them through their events. They gave them pointers, encouraged them and even ran side by side during their relays.

"The team had an amazing time," Delaware Valley head coach Carol Di Girolamo said. "They worked one-on-one with the athletes and they really bonded with them. They came away with a new perspective of what the Special Olympics is about and how much it means to the athletes."

The field hockey team will continue to volunteer with the Special Olympics in May when they join them at a Special Olympics dance at nearby Central Bucks West High School. Members of the Special Olympics have also been invited to attend a Delaware Valley field hockey game in the fall.

The NCAA - specifically Division III - and the Special Olympics entered an official partnership for the 2011-12 academic year. In addition to the field hockey team's work with the group, the Delaware Valley athletic department hosted members of the Bucks County Special Olympics in February at a basketball doubleheader. They handed out fall recognition awards to the Aggie student-athletes during a halftime ceremony.