CAMDEN — On Saturday, March 16, the Preble County DD Cougars once again took down the Generals during the annual basketball game which pits the Special Olympics athletes against a team made up of community volunteers and elected officials.

This year’s “Big Game” was hosted at Preble High School and featured a canned food drive for The Common Good, a 50/50 raffle by L&M Products, a silent auction and more.

The 501st Legion Ohio Garrison of Star Wars reenactors were also on hand to interact with the crowd and lead the team onto the court.

The Cougars versus Generals Game is a primary source of fundraising for the Preble County Special Olympics program, which has been overseen and administered by Preble DD since 2022. Proceeds from the event support the Preble County Special Olympics program, which offers a variety of sports activities for anyone with an intellectual disability ages 8 and older. Sports currently offered are basketball, softball and cheerleading. Preble County Special Olympics is accredited through Special Olympics Ohio and funds raised for the program will support the purchase of equipment and uniforms in addition to covering travel and registration costs for tournaments.

The Cougars include Bradley Bair, Patrick Lanz, Nat Miller, Kathryne Bishop, Corey Clinger, Rowan Pegg, Jerry Davis, Jacob Shay, Mike Davis, Lisa Dawson, Alex Day, Andrew Elam, Jason Gabbard, Alex Gorby, Brooks Henning, Sidney Hoskins, Adam Jackson, Kimberly Jackson, Bill Elam, Head Coach Chris Hobbs, Coach Alan Vonderhaar, Coach Rachael Vonderhaar, Coach Mike Derringer, Coach Chuck Hart, Coach Shaun Mienko, volunteer Tim Clinger, volunteer Meredith Pieratt, and volunteer Alexia Morgan.

The Generals team this year featured Coach Michael Simpson, Preble County Sheriff’s; Mary Bullen, founder, HIT Foundation; Janelle Caron, Director ofPC MVCAP; Adam Craft, Preble County Commissioner; Caleb Fecher, Preble County District Library; Joe Ferriell City of Eaton Assistant City Manager; Bailie Frazier, Preble DD, SSA; Clayton Genth, Executive Director, HIT Foundation; Shawn Hoff, Superintendent of Preble County ESC; Ed Kalil, Eaton Municipal Court Judge; Jacob Kovach, attorney, Preble DD Board member; Eric Marit, Law Library Resource Board; Jason Moles, Henny Penny Corporation; Major Brad Moore, Preble County Sheriff’s Office; Maggie Neanen, EHS Girls Varsity Softball Coach and Jeff Parker, Superintendent of Eaton Community Schools.

Mike Derringer served as event announcer, and Alexander Lohnes and Tim Lane refereed. The National Anthem was performed by Kali Drewry.

Sponsors for this year’s Big Game included Preble Shawnee High School, Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Preble County Mental Health & Recovery Board, Preble County Council on Aging, Preble County District Library, Preble County Educational Service Center, Preble County ESC Project LIFE, Preble County Veteran Services, Eaton High School Girls Softball, The 501st Legion Ohio Garrison, Foundations, First Impressions Wear, Free to Be You, L&M Products Inc., and Your Happy Place Inc. of Eaton.

According to Preble County DD officials, “Preble County Special Olympics promotes athletes’ emotional, physical and social health and instills a strong work-ethic and sense of teamwork. Through successful experiences, athletes build confidence and a positive self-image which carries over into the classroom, jobs and community.”

For additional information about Preble County Special Olympics or how to volunteer, visit prebledd.org or call 937-336-5348.

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.