The echo of basketballs dribbling across the gym floor. The noise of several pairs of feet racing towards the basket. The shot… the score… and people all over the gym go wild, standing up, cheering and congratulating both teams.

But this basketball tournament is not about winning. Players say it’s about coming together to have some fun, play a great game, and give back to the community.

Zeta Beta Tau will host the Special Olympics basketball tournament in Washington University’s Athletic Complex this Saturday. The event, which ZBT has been hosting on campus for the past 18 years, will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“It’s giving people a chance to give back to the community,” said senior John Cooper, the Special Olympics student co-coordinator for WU.

The tradition started many years ago, when the Special Olympics regional office started contacting different student groups at WU to see if any were interested in hosting a Special Olympics event. After talking with a number of fraternities, ZBT expressed some interest, and the Special Olympics at WU were born. The event receives money from Student Union, but some of the university’s academic schools contribute money as well.

The annual event now attracts around 700 athletes and about 1,000 audience members from around the St. Louis area.

“It shows the general community that people who are mentally and physically challenged can enjoy the same things as we all do,” said senior Adam Joffe, the event’s other co-coordinator, when asked to explain the popularity of the basketball tournament.

The event draws on a lot of local cooperation throughout St. Louis. For example, there will be a raffle, during which donations from various local hotels, restaurants, and other businesses will be given away.

Organizers said a large part of the competition’s success is the devotion of its volunteers. Every year, over 600 willing participants come out and volunteer to support the Special Olympics.

“Every year, we go around speaking to different student groups, asking them to supply volunteers,” said Joffe.

Volunteers at the basketball tournament will be matched up with a team, and their job is to cheer on that team for the remainder of the day. This way, the emphasis is taken off winning versus losing, and everyone is just encouraged to have fun.

Students interested in volunteering can sign up at a Special Olympics table in Mallinckrodt. Or, students can just show up the day of the event-the earlier the better.

“Everyone is welcome and we encourage it,” said Cooper. “The more people the better.”

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