It’s athletics in the “purest form.”

More than 40 former ISU athletes have signed up to volunteer during the Iowa Special Olympics events Saturday in Ames. The athletes, members of the ISU Letter Winners Club, will be volunteering at the Special Olympics for the first time and will be helping with events at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center on Saturday,

“It’s great to see sports in the purest form,” said Bill Marsau, president of the club and former ISU football player. “There’s no money involved, none of the egos you see with professional sports.”

Marsau said he admires Special Olympic athletes because they participate for the love of the sport and the love of competition.

Although this is the first time the Letter Winners Club has volunteered with Special Olympics, Marsau said he has volunteered for Special Olympics in the past.

“I have volunteered before, when I was a student,” Marsau said. “I helped with the awards ceremony and handed out medals.”

Marsau said he even saw the benefits of the games as a volunteer.

“One thing that you can see is that everyone puts forth the effort and has great determination,” he said. “I love watching sports, and it makes me feel really good watching.”

The club first decided to get involved with the events after learning that an athlete alumni group like theirs, from the University of Wisconsin, had volunteered with the Special Olympics, Marsau said.

After sending e-mails to members seeking volunteers, he said, he was surprised by the response of 40 volunteers.

“I was thinking about 25 people would volunteer, so it totally exceeded my expectations,” he said.

Ryan McGuire, director of special events for athletics, said the group really wanted to give back to the community and said he “feels pretty strongly” this is a program they should be involved in.

Mark Reed, president of the Iowa Special Olympics, said in a statement that he is pleased to see former Cyclone athletes volunteering.

“The athletes who volunteer are excitedabout the events and working with new athletes and those they already know,” he said. “It’s a great experience for everyone involved.”

Thursday, May 21

9 a.m. – Cycling – Iowa State Center parking lot

9:45 a.m. – Roller Skating – Skate North, Des Moines

10 a.m. – Tennis – Forker Building Courts

10:30 a.m. – Soccer Skills – field east of Maple-Willow-Larch *(coaches will be sent specific times)

10 a.m. – Soccer-Seven-A-Side – fields east of Maple-Willow-Larch

11:00 a.m. – Bocce – Lied Recreation Athletic Center

1 p.m. – Race Walk – Lied Recreation Athletic Center

10 a.m.- noon – Young Athletes – Lied Recreation Athletic Center

4:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Family Reception – Hilton Coliseum

4:30 – 6 p.m. – Dinner – assigned residence hall dining centers

6:30 p.m. – Parade line-up Opening Ceremonies – parking lot C-2 (south side of Hilton Coliseum)

7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies – Hilton Coliseum

Friday, May 22

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Athletics- Lied Recreation Athletic Center

8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Aquatics- Beyer Hall

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Developmental Events – Forker Building

9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Healthy Athletes – Opening Eyes, Special Smiles, Healthy Promotion, Fun Fitness and Fit Feet- Maple-Willow-Larch Commons & outside of Forker

11:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch – assigned residence hall dining centers

4:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Dinner – assigned residence hall dining centers

7 – 9 p.m. – Celebration Dance – Hilton Coliseum

Saturday, May 23

6:30 – 8:30 a.m. – Breakfast – assigned residence hall dining centers

8 a.m. – Coaches meeting — if inclement weather — Maple-Willow-Larch commons

8 a.m.-12 p.m. – Competition – Athletics – Lied Recreation Athletic Center

Noon – Closing ceremonies