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  "On the count of three let's hear it," shouted UNC men's basketball assistant coach Steve Robinson. The huddle of Special Olympics athletes surrounding Coach smiled and then on cue belted out in unison, "we love Carolina, we love Carolina!"
More than 100 Special Olympics athletes from across the state were willing to "turn it blue" to learn from the defending NCAA Basketball National Champions during an afternoon clinic Sunday, Jan. 15 at the Dean E. Smith Center. During the clinic's first hour, the Tar Heels rotated the athletes through skills stations, working on fundamentals such as dribbling, passing, shooting and even dunking.
"I saw some guys that could really stroke the shot and some that were really fast," said Tyler Hansbrough, the Tar Heels freshman forward. "It was fun to watch!"
The Special Olympics athletes really enjoyed showing off their game at the eight foot baskets. The Tar Heels players were quite impressed with all the creative dunks. Anthony Ray of New Hanover County put on a show for UNC junior forward, Danny Green.
"Oh nice, I like that shot," exclaimed Green after a one-handed slam by Ray. "It's surprising a little bit to see all the talent here. I don't look at them as different though. I believe all these kids are blessed and gifted."
Rick Dennis of Durham County also shocked the Tar Heels. During the second hour of the clinic, Special Olympics athletes teamed up with Tar Heels players and scrimmaged. Dennis nailed a long jumper and sunk a sky hook over top of North Carolina's 6'5 guard/forward Marcus Ginyard. Tar Heel senior, David Noel was on Dennis' team and ecstatic about the big baskets that propelled his team over Ginyard's!
"Seeing these guys hit jumpers in our face and have fun even though they are Special Olympians is great," said Noel. "They have a lot of talent just like we do! We look forward to this clinic every year."
"I feel great," said Dennis after the win. "I'm just glad to wake up everyday knowing the sky is Carolina blue."
The athletes didn't seem to care the Tar Heels had suffered their first conference loss of the season the day before. The home loss to Miami was devastating for the team but the Special Olympics clinic gave Roy Williams' team new perspective.
"Everyone was a little down after the loss," said Green. "But working this clinic brings our spirits back up. We feel better about ourselves and know there is more to life than what happened [against Miami]."
"To see how happy [the Special Olympics athletes] are that we are here to help them makes us feel better and have a better day," said Hansbrough.
The tips and encouragement the Carolina players provided will serve the Special Olympics athletes well as each one prepares to compete in the 2006 Special Olympics North Carolina Basketball Tournament & Cheerleading Championship in Cabarrus County, Feb. 24-26.
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