Articles from May 2017

During the 2017 Summer Games the Des Moines Register announced its Special Olympics All-Iowa Elite Athletes Team for the year.

The All-Iowa Elite team is made up of three male and three female athletes, as well as three pairs of Unified Sports partners for a total of 12 members. Special Olympics athletes were chosen for the team based on nominations written by coaches, delegation managers, teachers and area directors. The athletes chosen to be a part of the team represent the spirit of the Special Olympics Iowa movement and have gone above and beyond to show their dedication to sport and sportsmanship. They represent SOIA in competitions, service to their fellow athletes, and leadership within the organization and their community.

SOIA athletes were recognized at the Summer Games Opening Ceremonies and will again be recognized at the Register’s Sports Awards ceremony on June 24 at Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines. Athletes will receive a free ticket to the event, which is headlined by celebrity speaker Shaquille O’Neal.

General admission tickets are available for the event.

 

Meet the 2017 Special Olympics Elite Athletes! 

Special Olympics Iowa honored its Outstanding Athlete, Coach and Family of the Year award winners during the Summer Games Opening Ceremonies presented by Hy-Vee May 25 at Iowa State University’s Hilton Coliseum. The Scott Bryant Unsung Hero Award was also presented to recognize an individual dedicated to the Law Enforcement Torch Run program.  …

By: Chelsey Kimmel-Kendrick

Special Olympics Iowa’s 33^rd annual Summer Games is a three-day event with more than 2,500 athletes and over 1,500 volunteers. The event consists of several sports including swimming, track and field, bocce, tennis, cycling, soccer and skills games. However, athletes can only participate in one sport per day.

Summer Games will take place on May 25-27. Registration is due by April 1 for the bocce, cycling, soccer and tennis competitions, and April 24 for swimming and athletics (track and field).

The Summer Games will be kicked off with the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg, which brings the symbolic Flame of Hope Torch from downtown Des Moines to Iowa State University’s Hilton Coliseum for the Opening Ceremonies, presented by Hy-Vee. More than 500 law enforcement officers from all around Iowa have participated in the past by running, walking and biking routes, as they head to the big event in Ames. The officers hand the torch to an athlete who lights the flame, which begins the biggest SOIA competition of the year! …

On Saturday, June 17, 2017 the Iowa Barnstormers will be hosting the Sioux Falls Storm for their regular season finale. The Iowa Barnstormers are offering discounted tickets to any Special Olympians and their families for a fun night of Barnstormers football! Discounted tickets are only available for purchase at this link or by calling Chase Kruckemeyer at 515-564-8458.

This discount is NOT available for walk ups the day of the game. If you have any questions call 515-564-8458 for more details.

Pricing:
200 Ends/ 200 Sides: $11

Tickets ordered after June 10 will be available for pick up in the Iowa Barnstormers front office the week prior to the game or at Will Call located at the Wells Fargo Arena ticket office the night of the game.

We look forward to seeing you at the game!

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