The beautiful autumn day played second fiddle to the action on the field of the High Point Athletic Complex on Nov. 11. The complex was the site of the 2007 Special Olympics-North Carolina fall games, with around 1,000 athletes from 50 counties competing.J.J. McDowell, the volunteer and families director of the North Carolina chapter of the Special Olympics, has been participating in the program for years.

McDowell played on a unified team in high school, which is a team of intellectually disabled people and people without disabilities playing side-by-side.

“Seventeen years later, I took a job and I’m still with it,” McDowell said.

The fall games feature five sports: soccer, bocce, roller-skating, cycling, and golf. Athletes of all ages took part in playing the games.

The expansive outdoor arena was filled with what looked like dozens of athletes and coaches, and even more fans and volunteers.

Simultaneous games of soccer were being played on the lower fields, while a large bocce court was set up on a baseball field.

A staggering 1,000 volunteers contributed to making the games a success for the athletes and spectators. Without the help of these volunteers, the Special Olympics might never have come to culmination.

While volunteers do help out, some like to think that they get a lot out of the experience as well.

“I’ve certainly seen a change in the lives of the folks that volunteer as well as the athletes that compete,” McDowell said.

Guilford students made up a portion of the many volunteers at the Games. Around 20 Guilford students trekked to High Point to help out.

In an event organized by Craig Eilbacher, instructor of sports studies, several sports medicine majors were on the scene as medical staff.

“It’s good practice and a lot of fun,” said senior Lenore Spransy. “It’s a good opportunity to apply what we’ve learned.”

Members of the men’s soccer team lent a hand as well. They served as ball boys, but more importantly as support for the athletes.

“It was inspiring to see all the people getting into that game the same as any other sporting event,” said junior Sam Huff. “The athletes were going all out and were obviously dedicated to the game.”

And while many of the athletes were happy to play the sport they love, they also came to win.

During an awards ceremony, one athlete received a medal for his achievements during competition.

A boisterous and ecstatic, “Yes!” sounded off and was met with loud applause. The man bowed his head and was given his medal.

He stood straight and tall, and beamed a smile at no one in particular. As he looked off, it became clear what the smile was telling the audience.

It was a smile of pride.