COLUSA COUNTY, CA (MPG) – While the sports section is constantly filled with the stories about local sports team’s heroics and heartbreak, one that often gets overlooked due to the hectic nature of the high school schedules is the Colusa Coyotes, the county’s Special Olympics basketball team.
Competing under the umbrella of the Yuba-Sutter branch of Northern California’s Special Olympics, the Coyotes have been in existence for more than two decades, coached initially by the late Dale Townzen and currently are under the direction of Ed Reister with assistance from his wife Cynthia, who he credits with organizing all the logistics.
What prompted the Reister’s involvement with the Coyotes was their own special needs daughter who started playing at age 14 and still continues to compete.
Yet, their immersion in the program has remained a labor of love as Ed explained, “Sure there is a large time commitment, but the best part of it is seeing them smile and get so excited when they make a basket. When they get out there, they’re not scared or intimidated, they are happy to be part of something and be recognized.”
To which Cynthia added, “They are playing with others that can relate to them and they feel they belong.
This season the 16-player squad participated in two tournaments and most notably brought home a gold medal from the one held at Chico State.
To celebrate the season, the Coyotes gathered at Colusa Athletic Training’s facility where they received team jackets thanks to a generous donation from Colusa County Dreams and Wishes, which is operated by Tracey Herrick.
“We want to give a big shout out to Dreams & Wishes,” said Ed. “It’s the place where our athletes attend their day program and the team couldn’t have been happier with the jackets.”
Still in spite of this recent donation, the Coyotes, who practice on outdoor courts, fly under the radar given that most people in the community don’t realize they compete in Special Olympics sports.
“Some of our athletes work at local businesses and they are seen around town, but most people don’t realize they play a sport,” said Ed. “We have 16 players, but may not have 16 adults that come to watch. We do have some parent support which helps provide for extra stuff, but for some, their parents have passed away or they are wards of the state. We would love to see people come out to support and cheer them on.”
Nevertheless, the Coyotes will continue to make do with what they have, always pursuing the goal of providing opportunities for very special athletes to participate and experience the pure joy that comes along with it.