Special Olympics portion of State Farm Holiday Classic renamed in tribute           

[DEC. 21, 2005]  NORMAL -- Classic Tournament Inc. has decided to name the Special Olympics portion of the State Farm Holiday Classic after the man who was responsible for bringing the two groups together. The shootout, which brings in six area Special Olympics Illinois basketball teams as part of championship day at the annual State Farm Holiday Classic basketball tournament, will now be known as the Ron Knisley Memorial Special Olympics Shootout.

Knisley, who was the director of sports and competition for Special Olympics Illinois and a committee member for the basketball tournament organization, lost his battle to cancer on Oct. 13.

"Ron was the key figure in bringing Special Olympics Illinois and the Holiday Classic together four years ago," said Dave Oloffson, vice president of the tournament organization. "He was instrumental in finding the participating teams, scheduling the games and providing an exciting experience for the SOI athletes. It was a unanimous decision among our committee to rename the Special Olympics shootout after Ron as the best way to honor his memory and what he gave to our tournament."

"It would be very humbling to Ron to know that a part of the tournament was renamed for him," said Tracy Hilliard, vice president of sports training and competition for Special Olympics Illinois. "This is a testament to how well-respected Ron was within the Bloomington-Normal sports arena and also to his dedication to Special Olympics. He was excited when a Special Olympics division was added to the event and would be pleased to know that the tournament organizers have continued to include the organization."

"It was through Ron's support, dedication, experience and contacts that we have been able to provide a second-to-none atmosphere for all of our State Farm Holiday Classic teams and fans," said Oloffson. "Ron was just a great friend who loved this community and basketball."

This is the fourth year that Special Olympics Illinois will be a part of the State Farm Holiday Classic. The Special Olympics Illinois shootout will feature six teams: Bloomington-Normal SOAR Green, Heart of Illinois SRA Wildcats, Decatur Park District SRA Warriors, Jacksonville Wolverines, Pekin IRVSRA and Pontiac Futures. Games will be played beginning at noon on Dec. 30 on adjacent courts at the Illinois Wesleyan University multipurpose area at the Shirk Center in Bloomington.

Each team will play two games the afternoon of Dec. 30. The teams will then return to participate in an eight-minute exhibition on the main Shirk Center floor during halftime of a State Farm Holiday Classic championship game:

• Halftime of the Girls Class A championship game (tips at 4:30 p.m.): Jacksonville Wolverines vs. Pekin IRVSRA
• Halftime of the Boys Class A championship game (tips at 6 p.m.): Pontiac Futures vs. Heart of Illinois SRA
• Halftime of the Girls Class AA championship game (tips at 7:30 p.m.): Bloomington-Normal SOAR vs. Decatur Warriors

The 2005 State Farm Holiday Classic will take place Dec. 27-30 at six venues throughout Bloomington-Normal. For more information or to see a complete schedule of the 2005 State Farm Holiday Classic, visit www.theclassic.org.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 20,000 athletes ages 8 years and older with mental retardation or closely related developmental disabilities. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call Special Olympics Illinois at (800) TEAM-ISO or visit www.soill.org.

[Classic Tournament news release]

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