The NCAA Division III Special Olympics Spotlight Poll is a story-telling initiative located on ncaa.org/D3SpecialOlympics and features three new stories per month – each highlighting a Division III and Special Olympics joint activity or event. 

With 1,693 of 3,070 votes (55%), U of O won $500 towards its next Special Olympics activity. Additionally, U of O will be recognized in the NCAA Division III Monthly Newsletter and on NCAA Division III social media channels.

Black, the director of social media for the sports information office and a junior marketing major, highlighted U of O student-athletes and its athletic staff assisting the Olympians at the April 25 event in Clarksville. Incoming campus SAAC President Whitney Lewis, who spearheaded a media campaign of her own in behalf of the story, was excited to hear her school was victorious. 

"I am very excited that University of the Ozarks has won $500 for our future Special Olympics' event," said Lewis, a senior women's tennis player from Clarksville. "To win this is a huge success for Emily, our university, local Special Olympics, Ozarks' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the Ozarks' athletic department, the American Southwest Conference, and our Clarksville community. I am privileged that our university is representing the NCAA Division III at an exceptional level. Emily did a fantastic job of highlighting what occurred during the Special Olympics event. I want to congratulate her on an article that truly showcases her talents as a writer and a reporter."