UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This year, Penn State will once again host the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games at the University Park campus. The event will be held from June 1 to 3 and will feature more than 2,000 athletes and 750 coaches from across the state competing in aquatics, basketball, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, softball, tennis, track and other athletic competitions.
Athletics
Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games to begin June 1 at Penn State
More than 2,000 athletes will compete at University Park through June 3
A contingent of athletes and police officers from around Pennsylvania proudly entered Medlar Field with the Flame of Hope during the 2015 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games. This year's event will mark the 30th year the Special Olympics Summer Games have been held at Penn State. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons
Several Penn State football players, including Saquon Barkley (26) and Tom Devenney, joined in the festivities at the 2016 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games opening ceremonies held June 2 at Penn State's Pegula Ice Arena. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons
A schedule of events is available beginning Thursday, June 1, and ending with the closing ceremonies from 4:30 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at the Olympic Village Area, in the Pollock Commons, Beaver quad area.
Opening day begins Thursday, June 1 with the 6:45 p.m. Parade of Athletes down Curtin Road, followed by the 7:30 p.m. opening day ceremonies. Various Penn State athletes will greet the Olympians during the opening day festivities, which take place at Medler Field, rain location will be the Pegula Ice Arena.
Penn State athletes will also mingle with the Special Olympic athletes during Sports Fest from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 2, at Bigler Field on campus.
The mission of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, according to its website, is "to provide year-round sports training and 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 friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community."
For more information on the 2017 Special Olympics at Penn State, visit http://specialolympicspa.org/sports-competitions/competitions/summer-games.
Penn State also held the Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run on April 23 to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania and nearly 20,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
A Special Olympian prepares to compete in an equestrian event during a previous Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games held on the University Park campus of Penn State. This year will be the 30th year for this event at Penn State. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons
Last Updated June 9, 2017