Having a Ball

Irene Cazares giggled as she tried to get the colorful basketball through the red hoop. She missed a few times before UCLA women’s basketball Coach Kathy Oliver helped her make a shot.

The assist took nothing away from the feat for Irene, a 12-year-old who is developmentally disabled and attends Lokrantz Special Education Center. She celebrated as though she had just banked the winning shot in a crucial game.

In victory, she jumped and held both arms in the air with clenched fists. Then she gave Oliver a high-five.

“It was so fun,” Irene said. “I played football and soccer, too.”

Irene was one of 250 students at Lokrantz, a Los Angeles Unified School District center for the developmentally disabled, to participate in a special sports day Monday.

The youngsters--many in wheelchairs--played softball, football, soccer and basketball in the company of legendary UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden and former Los Angeles Dodgers great Manny Mota.

In addition to Oliver, five Cal State Northridge coaches also came out to lend their expertise and support.

“This is such a great opportunity for [the students] and as you can see, they’re very excited,” said Lokrantz Principal Mary Beth Meyer. “This is good for their self-esteem.”

Robert Galabuzi, 12, said he had fun playing basketball, but he prefers kickball. Wooden, winner of 10 national basketball championships, chuckled.

“They don’t know who I am or who any of these people are,” he said. “They just know we’re someone who cares and is giving them attention. Look at their faces glow.”

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Wooden became involved in the program after his 5-year-old great-grandson, Cameron Trapani, began attending Lokrantz.

The event was organized by volunteers of the Manny Mota Foundation, a nonprofit organization that conducts sports clinics for disadvantaged youths throughout the country.

Mota, a coach with the Dodgers, played 20 years of major league baseball and has participated in five World Series as a player and coach.

“It’s so great to bring a smile to their faces,” Mota said during a break in the action. “It’s a wonderful feeling to share in that. We are very fortunate and grateful to be here.”

A boy in a wheelchair approached Mota and struggled to hold out his hand. Mota grabbed it and shook it lightly.

“This just breaks your heart,” Mota said. “Anything we can do to bring them happiness makes me feel so great.”

Mota started his foundation 30 years ago in his native Dominican Republic. The organization feeds hundreds of children there daily and conducts toy and food drives for needy families.

CSUN softball Coach Janet Sherman recently heard of the organization and immediately signed up to help.

“This was very rewarding for me,” Sherman said. “They want to get out and have fun, just like any other kid. I’m really glad I could help them do it.”