University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA Student-Athletes Participate in Sixth Annual Prime Time Games
Prime Time Games 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 and play alongside children with developmental disabilities ("athletes") in the only program of its kind in the country. Championship Saturday, which is the culmination of the season, featured UCLA student-athletes providing support for the coaches in soccer and basketball in the "Mentor the Mentors" component of the program.
"It's really special," said men's water polo student-athlete Danny McClintick. "It's a great opportunity for all of us as collegiate athletes to come together with kids who are a little disadvantaged and don't get to play sports at a competitive level. It really means a lot to us to put a smile on their faces, and they put a smile on all of our faces. It's a really great day."
"The support PrimeTime Games receives from the UCLA student-athletes is extraordinary in terms of what it does for the kids," said Peter Straus, Executive Director of Team PrimeTime. "It's such a source of pride for our organization and elevates the kids' perception of themselves because the UCLA student-athletes are participating with them."
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 400 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.