Spring Break
Special Olympics to open at A&M
By: Melissa Appel
Issue date: 10/22/08 Section: News
Texas A&M and the Bryan-College Station area will host the 2008 Special Olympics Texas Fall Classic Friday and Saturday.
The event, one of the three annual statewide competitions presented by Special Olympics Texas, is expected to draw more than 1,500 athletes from 22 area divisions across Texas.
Fall Classic includes competitions in aquatics, bocce, golf, softball and the triathlon. The event venues are scattered across the Bryan-College Station area, with the A&M campus hosting opening night events at Anderson Track Complex, aquatics at the Student Recreation Center and golf at the A&M Golf Course.
Opening Ceremonies kick off the weekend at 7 p.m. Friday at Anderson Track Complex. The ceremonies include the Parade of Athletes, the reading of the Athlete Oath, the lighting of the torch and the official welcome by Mayor Pro Tem Lynn McIlhaney. Members of the A&M softball team will declare the games open.
Special Olympics Texas has 27,610 athletes from across the state. The organization offers activities and programs for participants starting at 2 years old to participate in Fall Classic. To be considered an athlete participants must be at least 12 years old.
"The mission of Special Olympics Texas is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with others," said Kelly Coffey, vice president of communications for Special Olympics Texas.
The organization relies on 44,477 volunteers and more than 2,800 volunteer coaches. There are more than 240 annual competitions, consisting of area and regional competitions, as well as three statewide events: Summer Games, Fall Classic and Winter Games.
"There is a place for everyone to be involved with Special Olympics Texas," Coffey said. "Not only will your help change the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, your life will be changed as well."
The event, one of the three annual statewide competitions presented by Special Olympics Texas, is expected to draw more than 1,500 athletes from 22 area divisions across Texas.
Fall Classic includes competitions in aquatics, bocce, golf, softball and the triathlon. The event venues are scattered across the Bryan-College Station area, with the A&M campus hosting opening night events at Anderson Track Complex, aquatics at the Student Recreation Center and golf at the A&M Golf Course.
Opening Ceremonies kick off the weekend at 7 p.m. Friday at Anderson Track Complex. The ceremonies include the Parade of Athletes, the reading of the Athlete Oath, the lighting of the torch and the official welcome by Mayor Pro Tem Lynn McIlhaney. Members of the A&M softball team will declare the games open.
Special Olympics Texas has 27,610 athletes from across the state. The organization offers activities and programs for participants starting at 2 years old to participate in Fall Classic. To be considered an athlete participants must be at least 12 years old.
"The mission of Special Olympics Texas is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with others," said Kelly Coffey, vice president of communications for Special Olympics Texas.
The organization relies on 44,477 volunteers and more than 2,800 volunteer coaches. There are more than 240 annual competitions, consisting of area and regional competitions, as well as three statewide events: Summer Games, Fall Classic and Winter Games.
"There is a place for everyone to be involved with Special Olympics Texas," Coffey said. "Not only will your help change the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, your life will be changed as well."
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