News

John Arnold has been named the vice president of program services and athlete experiences for Special Olympics Iowa. He began his new role in August.

Arnold was previously the president of Midwest Insurance Corporation in Nevada, Iowa. He also spent seven years with Junior Achievement, two as vice president of districts in Central Iowa and five as president of the OKI Partners, located in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area. At Junior Achievement, Arnold was responsible for fundraising, volunteer recruitment, budget and regulatory requirements.

Arnold has been a volunteer for Special Olympics since 1989 and served as a board member in 2014.

Mercedes-Benz of Des Moines has provided SOIA with a brand new 2015 Sprinter cargo van.  This valued partnership not only allows Special Olympics Iowa to upgrade our aging vehicle fleet but provides us with a mobile billboard to enhance Special Olympics awareness across the state of Iowa.

The SOIA State Equestrian Competition will be held at the Jester Park Equestrian Center in Granger Sept. 26. Please note the change of date and location.

Athletes from across the state will compete in events including horsemanship, egg and spoon, barrel race, ball drop, key hole race, pole bending and baton relay. Balance, stability and the right communication between the horse and the rider are key elements for success.

Kayla Craun has been an equestrian athlete since 2011 and says her favorite part about Special Olympics is riding horses.

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Special Olympics Iowa athlete Brian Rolek received the opportunity of a lifetime when he was asked to compete at the Principal Charity Classic Pro-Am. A Pro-Am takes place before the professional event and joins ordinary golfers on a team with a PGA Tour golfer and, sometimes, a celebrity.

A self-taught golfer, Rolek held his own and even out-drove Champion’s Tour professional Jay Don Blake on a hole or two. Also on his team was NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Matt Crafton.

“It made me very proud to represent Special Olympics,” said Rolek. “I got to use skills I learned in Special Olympics such as how to interview and be comfortable with new people. It was great to be on the golf course and play as well as the other men. Special Olympics gave me the confidence and practice.”

SOIA athlete Tyler Leech (center) talks about the Unified Relay Across America with CEO Gary Harms (right) and anchor Elias Johnson (left) on the ABC Local 5 News segment on June 10.

If you have seen some of our athletes on the news lately, it may have been part of a new partnership between Special Olympics Iowa and ABC Local 5 News in Des Moines.

Since February, SOIA has been featured in a series of live interviews during the midday news. The segments appear on the second Wednesday of every month at approximately 11:50 a.m.

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Rick King (center) became an SOIA softball coach when he learned of the opportunity through Sammons Financial Group.

The Special Olympics Iowa State Softball Tournament has been sponsored by Sammons Financial Group since 2010. The company not only donates money to keep the event going, but lines the softball fields with volunteers each summer.

One of those volunteers loved the event so much, he became a coach for one of the Link Associates team. Rick King is a process improvement consultant for Sammons and has coached softball and baseball for 15 years.

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The fear of heights is one of the most common phobias in the world…but why let that stop you? Over the Edge is a unique opportunity for individuals and organizations to raise money and support SOIA athletes by rappelling off the 345-ft Financial Center in downtown Des Moines!

The whole event is an experience you’ll never forget, and one you’ll want to share with others! Help us recruit rappellers or find another way for everyone to be involved:

• Rappel Solo
  Rappel as a Team
  Corporate Challenge
  Toss Your Boss
  Sponsor
  Volunteer
  Recruit

REGISTER ONLINE

Participants must raise a minimum of $1,000 to guarantee a rappel spot. Space is limited so fundraise early!

Want to toss your boss? Your fearless leader may not seem so fearless when it comes to dangling over the side of a 345-ft building. Start a petition and generate excitement in the office so that your boss can’t say no!

Iowa vs. Illinois State
Sept. 5, 11 a.m. Kickoff

SOIA athletes and their families are invited to Iowa’s season opener at great discounted group rate pricing.

SOIA Youth (high school and younger): $25
SOIA Adult: $40
Regular single game rate: $55

ORDER YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Click the link above to order online or call Bravo Sports at 319-626-8286.
All orders will be seated together.

The Special Olympics Iowa State Softball Tournament presented by Sammons Financial Group will have a new look this year, moving to the Prairie Ridge Sports Complex in Ankeny. The move will allow more athletes to participate in a wider variety of activities.

Last year, 24 traditional and Unified Sports teams participated in the tournament, with more than 300 athletes representing 17 communities across the state. SOIA officials expect that number to grow this year and are excited to be able to offer a softball skills competition at the new venue.

“The facilities at the Prairie Ridge Sports Complex are a great match for our growing tournament and needs of our athletes,” said SOIA CEO Gary Harms. “It is our mission to provide training and athletic competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities regardless of their ability level. Not only will we be able to host more games for our athletes and Unified Sports partners, but we will finally have the space needed to host events for athletes who compete in individual skills competitions like our softball throw and batting events.”

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We’re gearing up for the NFL season and our annual Pigskin Madness tickets are on sale now! For just $20 you have eight chances to win each week of the regular NFL season — that’s 17 weeks of play!

Want to help your friends get in on the fun? We will send you a book of 25 ticket to sell — you do not need to pay anything up front. Just turn in the sold tickets and money to the SOIA state office.

Questions? Contact Jeanette Steinfeldt at 515-986-5520.