University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA Athletics to Host Prime Time Games
Championship Saturday is a full-inclusion peer mentor sports program in which economically disadvantaged and underserved middle school students from the Team Prime Time after-school program ("coaches") coach, mentor and play alongside children with developmental disabilities ("athletes") in the only program of its kind in the country. UCLA student-athletes will play a valuable role by providing support for the coaches in what has become known as the "Mentor the Mentors" component of the program. Bruin student-athletes will also serve as head coaches and ambassadors at the event.
Opening ceremonies will begin at 8am on UCLA's North Athletic Field. Soccer commences soon thereafter, while the basketball teams play in the Student Activities Center (SAC). Team Prime Time’s Varsity Games full-inclusion high school basketball league then plays in SAC at 11am to decide the City Championship. All six high school teams will be in action as Fairfax HS looks to repeat as City Champ.
UCLA head athletic performance coach Mike Linn, who brought the Prime Time Games to UCLA, said, "It has been so satisfying watching this event grow into one of our department’s primary outreach programs. Community service is usually all about what experience we can give to the recipients. The Prime Time Games is one of those unique programs that give just as much back as they receive. The lessons in humility, selflessness and mentorship are lasting effects this program has on our student-athletes.”
The Prime Time Games began in the fall of 2004 with 20 athletes from six LAUSD schools. By Spring 2005, the program had nearly tripled in size. To date, over 500 athletes with developmental disabilities -ranging from autism to Down syndrome - have participated in the Prime Time Games. At the core of the Prime Time Games lies the very simple premise that bringing two “high-risk” populations together, united by a shared love of sport, will generate lasting benefits for everyone involved.