Team USA-Florida, AKA the Hamilton Stompers, are on their way to China for the Summer World Games. On Monday, Sept. 24, a crowd of family, friends and supporters gathered at the Courthouse Annex in Jasper to wish the team good luck. The six-time state champions, who have lost only one game in the last seven years, are “going for the gold,” according to the coaches.

The Stompers are one of four basketball teams selected to represent the United States at the Summer World Games. Team USA-Florida also includes more than 20 athletes from across the state who will compete in aquatics, athletics (track and field), bocce, bowling, golf, powerlifting and tennis. Approximately 400 athletes and 150 coaches from the US will attend the games this year.

It has been a busy year for the Stompers. In September 2006, the team learned they had been chosen to represent the US at the Summer World Games. After the initial public announcement, the team and the coaches continued as usual – practice, practice, practice, and more practice.

Then as game time neared, the team jumped into action. In July, the Stompers attended a training camp in Nashville for members of Team USA – all the athletes from the US who are competing in the Summer World Games. The athletes participated in team building activities and learned about Chinese culture and language.

A little more than a week after the team came home, they were traveling again – this time to Washington, DC. The Stompers and the other members of Team USA-Florida were on hand for the arrival of the Flame of Hope at the Capitol. The Flame was used to light the Torch that was carried across five continents in the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run honoring Special Olympics. The team even had time to visit the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial and go on a private tour of the Capitol.

During a lull in their travels, the Stompers were interviewed by a magazine and filmed for a commercial. The team is featured in a two-page spread in the October issue of Sports Illustrated Kids. The commercial will air on the Sun channel advertising the Summer World Games. The games will be televised on the Sun channel after the competitions are completed.

The Stompers were also recognized by their home county. On Sept. 12, the Tourism Development Council hosted a reception in honor of the team’s achievement. Nancy Oliver, who was Executive Director at the time, gave each player and coach a goody bag filled with items imprinted with the Hamilton County logo and a bright blue Hamilton County/Special Olympics T-shirt.

“We want you to take Hamilton County with you wherever you go,” Oliver said. “Congratulations on your achievements so far and good luck at the games.”

Patrick Burke, Manager of the I-75 Welcome Center, gave the coaches a bag of “Visit Florida” pins and rolls of stickers featuring popular tourism sites in the state. Coach Helen Udell said they would use the items on Trade Night, when teams would exchange small gift items.

“We are going for the gold,” Udell said. “When we get back, we’ll really have a party.”

County Commissioner Lewis Vaughn said the county was happy to help. He told the young men, “I know you and I’m sure you will represent our county well.”

Coach John Brown from Alachua, who is accompanying the team, said he had attended two World Games in the US, but this will be his first in another country. “This is a great opportunity for these guys,” he added. “I have the utmost confidence that these young men will come home with the gold.”

Then on Saturday, Sept. 22, the Stompers traveled south for some special training with the Orlando Magic basketball team. Magic stand-out Dwight Howard, Head Coach Stan Van Gundy, Assistant Coach Brendan Malone, and community ambassador and former Magic stand-out Nick Anderson put the team through their paces during a full on-court clinic. The Stompers met the Orlando Magic dancers and sat with Magic players and coaches at autograph tables. Each player received an official Magic jersey with his name on it.

Finally on Monday the Stompers left on the first leg of their trip to China. The team boarded a luxury coach bus, provided by PCS Phosphate, White Springs, and traveled to Orlando in style. On Tuesday the team flew to Los Angeles, Calif. They continued their journey on Wednesday, flying to Beijing, China for a four-day stay. Then they will travel to Shanghai, China for the games, which begin Oct. 2 and continue through Oct. 9.

This is the first time the World Summer Games will be held in Asia and only the second time they have been held outside the United States. Special Olympics expects the event to attract about 7,000 athletes, 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, spectators and journalists from every country.