AMHERST, Mass. -- It's easy to see immediate impact on the basketball court: a pass here that leads to a basket there, a key rebound, a timely steal perhaps.
Senior
Kori Barach of the Amherst College women's basketball team made plenty of those over her four years at this institution, to the tune of 1,064 points (tied for 17th all-time in program history), 587 rebounds (15th), 153 steals (12th) and 202 assists (T-14th), all of which led to two NCAA Tournament appearances for the Mammoths.
Impact outside of the arena can be harder to measure. For Barach, it came in the form of a smile.
The Amherst College athletic department has had a deep and meaningful relationship with local Special Olympics organizations. In the fall, many students help "coach" and lead soccer practices on Gooding Field on Sunday mornings. During the winter, practices and events are held in LeFrak Gymnasium.
Between 50 and 70 Amherst students, many of them student-athletes, contribute to the work Amherst does with local Special Olympics athletes, according to associate director of athletics
Billy McBride.
Over the course of her four years at Amherst, Barach was actively involved with the local Special Olympics teams.Â
"Our teams' coaches, parents and athletes appreciate the college's facilities and the support of the Amherst College student volunteers who help out at all the Sunday morning practices," Isabel Wells, program coordinator for Hampshire County Sports/Special Olympics of Massachusetts, said. "One volunteer really stood out during basketball season and that was Kori. She came to nearly every practice, she led warm-ups, motivated our athletes and was someone I could count on throughout the season."
Barach also volunteered at the local ABC House, tutoring high school students in math and writing, and volunteered at the Amherst Survival Center, helping to unload trucks and organizing donations of food. Â
"Kori is truly a special person who is always willing to help others and put other peoples' needs above hers," Amherst women's basketball head coach
G.P. Gromacki said. "She was a great representative of our program and will be greatly missed!"
Barach's time with the local Special Olympics athletes was, for lack of a better term … special.
"Spending time with the Special Olympians was one of the most rewarding parts of my experience (at Amherst)," she noted. "Their energy, joy and genuine love for sport reminded me of why I started playing in the first place. I was drawn to their positivity and the way they showed up for each other; with so much heart and pride.
"Every practice or event felt like a celebration of inclusion, effort, and connection, and I loved being a part of that environment. It never felt like an obligation; it was something I looked forward to because it brought out the best of everyone involved."
At one practice that Barach helped run, a local Special Olympics athlete she had grown close to named Anthony gave her a moment to remember and cherish and summed up the relationship between the Amherst College student-athlete and the Special Olympics athletes at the same time.
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"He was nonverbal, but every time he saw me, he'd come running over with the biggest smile and throw his arms around me," she recalled. "One day at practice I was rebounding for him before the start of the session and it was obvious he was getting better and enjoying the practice. That simple moment meant so much. It reminded me of how deep the connection can run even without words; and just how much presence and consistency can matter to someone."
Making time for those moments over the last four years molded Amherst into a special place for Barach.
"Giving back, to me, means showing up for others in the same way people have shown up for me," she said. "It's about using whatever time, energy, or experience I have to make someone else feel supported, seen, or simply less alone. I don't see it as a one-way street; it's often the moments of giving that have taught me the most about patience, gratitude and connection."
Giving back was not something Barach just stumbled into, she made it a point to make it something she did to connect to the local and college communities.
"When I got to Amherst, I wanted to be part of something beyond academics," she noted. "Joining the women's basketball team helped me feel connected right away, and that sense of team wanted me to build similar relationships across campus. I became involved in community activities because I enjoy working with others toward a common goal. I was drawn to opportunities that let me connect with people from different backgrounds and contribute in a tangible way. Being involved gave me a stronger sense of belonging and made Amherst feel like home."Â
