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The Aces are one of three Kern County Special Olympics floor hockey teams and one of 75 teams in Sothern California. These athletes come from all over Kern County and some have been playing floor hockey for over 20 years. The athletes range in all levels and ages from 8-80 years old. The individual challenges are as diverse as the environments from where these athletes come from. From Downs Syndrome, Autism, and brain injury, these athletes come from special education school programs, supportive employment, group homes, and traditional family settings.

For those not familiar with floor hockey. It is played in a rink, but the surface is made of wood, concrete, or tile. The teams are composed of six players, including a goalie. The athletes use wooden poles called “slick sticks” which are an adaptation of industrial broom sticks with a felt tip, and the pucks are large felt discs about 10 “ in diameter with an open center. Basic ice hockey rules and penalties apply, with the exception of offsides, and icing. However, hooking, slashing, and roughing will draw you a penalty and some time in the “sin bin”.

As I arrived to practice at the newly constructed hockey rink at Saunders Park, I did not know what to expect. Nonetheless, the familiar sights and sounds of hockey immediately greeted me. This was serious business. Currently the Aces are preparing for an upcoming tournament on November 15th at the Kern County Fairgrounds. This tournament is hosted by Kern County Special Olympics every year, and generally draws the participation of 300 athletes and coaches from all over Southern California. Like all Special Olympics events, athletes are never charged for participation. However, there is always the cost of facility rental. Grants, fundraising and donations from individuals, companies like Wal-Mart and service groups such as the Kiwanis support and offset these costs.

The Aces upcoming schedule also takes them on the road to compete in tournaments in Santa Maria on December 6th, and January 16th in San Diego, Ca. Unlike some sports teams, these athletes enjoy playing on the road as much as in front of their hometown fans. However, like all sports travel is expensive. The Aces as well as other Kern County teams are provided transportation free of charge for day trips from BARC (Bakersfield Association of Retarded Citizens), but longer distances and overnight stays are at an additional expense.

I spent much of my time with Aces Head Coach, Silva Treanor. Coach Treanor first became involved in coaching floor hockey during her time as a Special Education Teacher for the Kern High School District, and has been involved in floor hockey for over 30 years. “Our goal is to provide sports competition and training, for those who want to be Special Olympians.” Treanor stated. She also went on to say that they would like to see more junior athlete participation. Junior athletes are 8-15 years of age. Currently there is a junior basketball team, and opportunity for junior athletes in individual sports, such as tennis and swimming. The lack of junior athletes can be attributed to the lack of education of parents with younger intellectually challenged children. “We are providing a sports mechanism to provide opportunity to these athletes”, said Treanor,” Getting the word out and educating the parents is key to growing our program”.

As our nations economy faces its challenges, so too does the Special Olympics. Fundraisers become harder to operate and donations are harder to come by as companies and individuals tighten their belts. The Kern County Special Olympics has been prudent with their funding, and most if not all the programs will continue to operate even through tough economic times.

The biggest challenge facing the Kern County Special Olympics is not monetary but voluntary. There is a constant need for volunteers as coaches. About one half of Kern Counties Special Olympic coaches are comprised of parents or relatives that have family members involved as athletes. The remaining half is made up of special education teachers, and interested individuals.

In closing, I asked Coach Treanor to describe to me one of the most memorable moments she has experienced in her involvement with Special Olympics over the last 30 years. She took a moment, and then proceeded to tell me a story about an athlete that was killed in a senseless accident a few years back. Although this may seem a tragedy more than what is usually characteristic about a memorable moment that one might have. She expressed with a smile that through their bereavement, the players displayed a strong bond and support. This is the bond and social structures that Special Olympics creates for all that are involved. Lastly she stated, “I get a lot out of it, I feel like I am doing something good. Everyone should try it at least once and experience this feeling”.

For more details or information, contact Special Olympics Southern California Kern County at (661)-322-7598