Men’s basketball prepares for annual autism awareness game
The spotlight is on the Tigers for work advocacy off the court, and winning streak on the court
By Kyle Hobstetter on January 29, 2020
In 2014, during his third season as Towson men’s basketball coach, Pat Skerry wanted to find a way to honor his son Owen.
Like 1 in 59 children each year, Owen was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of two. So as the Tigers saw they had a nationally televised game, Skerry came up with the idea to have an Autism Awareness Game.
Since that first game, each February the Tigers host an Autism Awareness Game. This year’s game takes place this Saturday, February 1 against the College of Charleston. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. inside SECU Arena.
And along with the action inside SECU Arena, Skerry’s message of awareness has spread across all of college basketball. More than 450 coaches will wear blue puzzle piece pins during their games in a show of support for autism awareness.
As Skerry would watch hall of fame coaches wear these pins of support during these games, pins that he would personally mail out to each coach, he couldn’t help but be stunned by the powerful gesture.
“That's where the awareness comes from," Skerry said in a 2017 interview with CBS Sports. "When the extremely popular guys, when John Calipari or Bill Self has a pin on, that's where someone goes, 'What is that?'"
Read More:
Sports Illustrated: Towson Men’s Basketball Coach on Autism Awareness Weekend
Forbes: Towson coach using basketball to raise Autism Awareness
Flo Sports: Bigger thank basketball
CBS Sports: Why one college basketball coach keeps fighting to spread autism awareness
Along with getting national attention, there has also been a focus on the local community. Skerry and men’s basketball team partnered with coach Diane Richardson and the Towson women’s basketball, along with the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism[BROKEN LINK] to put on their annual basketball clinic for members of the Hussman Center community.
The clinic has become one of the most exciting parts of Autism Awareness Week. And for members of the Hussman Center, it’s become a positive influence in the community.
"This is really meaningful to see our participants at the Hussman Center get together with the men's team and now the women's team," says Rufus Platt, a full-time program supervisor at the Hussman Center.
"Running drills, shooting hoops and having a good time. The interaction between everybody was really authentic and you could just feel the positive energy throughout the gym. Towson does a good job to take the extra time to make sure everybody is included. Both coaches have done an amazing job of providing this opportunity.”
Read More:
TowsonTigers.com: Annual Autism Clinic Is Always Special
WBAL: Players learn from each other at Towson’s basketball autism clinic
WJZ: Towson Basketball hosts clinic teaching those with Autism fundamentals about the game
WMAR: Towson University basketball hosts clinic for adults with autism
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But before the Tigers make it to Saturday, they are looking to continue their winning streak on Thursday. TU will host UNC Wilmington inside SECU Arena, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Tigers are on a six-game winning streak, and are currently in a three-way tie for second place in the Colonial Athletic Association, and just one game out of first place. Towson University will also honor the schools 1989-90 and 1990-91 NCAA Tournament teams.
Both of this week’s games are free to Towson University students, faculty and staff with by showing a TU OneCard. For more information, including a complete men’s basketball schedule, check out TowsonTigers.com.
This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland, Culture of Philanthropy.