The NCAA - specifically Division III - and the Special Olympics entered an official partnership for the 2011-12 academic year. As part of the initiative, Delaware Valley College and the local chapter of the Special Olympics teamed up for Fall Athletic Recognition Day at halftime of the Aggie women's basketball game with Eastern University on February 4.

Members of the Special Olympics (with their own championship medals around their neck) were on hand to help Delaware Valley College President Dr. Joseph S. Brosnan and Middle Atlantic Conference Executive Director Ken Andrews hand out the certificates and congratulate the student-athletes who received all-conference, all-academic and/or all-sportsmanship accolades as well as regional and national honors.

Special honors also went to the Aggie women's soccer team as they received their certificates from the National Soccer Coaches Associaiton of America (NSCAA) for both the Team Academic Award (3.20 or higher cumulative grade point average for the team for the past academic year) and the Ethics Award (no penalty cards during the 2011 season).

Plaques were handed out to Delaware Valley football coach Jim Clements and freshman quarterback Aaron Wilmer for their special honors from the conference as coach of the year and rookie of the year respectively. Finally, all members of the football team in attendance came down to the center of the court to receive the MAC championship plaque for its fourth consecutive conference title.

For more information on the Special Olympics, visit specialolympics.org