Press Release

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Susan Prior, Director of Public Relations

(800) 235-9058, ext. 231; sprior@specialolympicspa.org

TWO STATE COLLEGE RESIDENTS HEADED TO NAGANO FOR  

THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES

Local Women Chosen to Referee International Games this February

(January 18, 2005 – State College, PA) —Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) today announced that State College residents Becky Fischer and Susan Mitchell of Centre County, PA have been chosen to referee the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, February 26 – March 5, 2005.  Fischer and Mitchell, who will be officiating Floor Hockey during the upcoming international games, were selected by Special Olympics International following an intense, competitive review of their credentials and accomplishments, along with those of thousands of other Special Olympics officials. 

“Remarkably, Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the nation for the number of athletes competing in the games, with six athletes participating as part of Team USA.  On top of this honor, we are thrilled to have five of our volunteers headed to Nagano, three serving as officials and two as coaches, making this year’s World Games particularly exciting for our statewide program” said Janine Cesare, President, Special Olympics Pennsylvania. “State College boasts two of these outstanding participants. Becky and Susan have truly demonstrated unmatched dedication to our program and are so deserving of this unique honor.”

Fischer began her successful history with SOPA over 10 years ago as an athlete.  She has been officiating for five years and also coaches softball and volleyball.  In 2001 she was inducted into the SOPA Hall of Fame, recognized for her extraordinary accomplishments as an athlete turned coach.  In addition to her athletic accomplishments at SOPA, she serves as a Special Olympics Global Messenger and often speaks publicly about her experiences. Nagano won’t be her first experience with international competition, as she participated in the World Games in St. Paul, MN in 1991 as the only female power lifter.

Over the last 10 years, Mitchell has volunteered in several capacities, including officiating for four years, participating as a Unified Partner for softball, coaching bocce, bowling and Unified Softball and serving as a member of the Centre County Special Olympics Management Team.  She has a close personal relationship with Fisher, serving as her mentor, speech coach and friend.  She has received numerous awards for volunteerism and community service, including the Centre County “Volunteer of the Year” award in 1991, Town and Gown Magazine “Women in the Community” award in 2000 and the Delta Sigma Epsilon award for academic and community achievement.

“I have never felt so alive the way I feel when I am participating,” said Mitchell, who is quick to list the many ways participating in Special Olympics has changed her life.

When they are not devoting their free time to the Centre County Special Olympics program, Fischer and Mitchell both work in service-oriented professions. Fisher works in the Bennett Family Center as a day care teacher, and Mitchell is the director of human resources for The Arc of Centre County, which provides residential services to adults with intellectual disabilities.

“We are extremely proud of Becky and Susan and our entire Pennsylvania delegation.  We know they’ll make us proud in Nagano,” said Cesare.

About the Special Olympics World Winter Games

The World Winter Games in Nagano are slated to host 2,500 athletes, 650 coaches and 10,000 volunteers, friends and families from 80 countries in seven sports including alpine and cross country skiing, figure and speed skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and snowboarding.

Athletes compete successfully on the local and state level for the opportunity to compete internationally at the World Games. The cost per athlete is $10,000 and includes local training, Team USA training in Colorado, coaching, competition, international travel expenses, equipment, health care, social activities, lodging, meals and other needs.  All athletes participate free of charge and are supported in full by contributions.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania

Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round training and competition in 23 Olympic-type sports to more than 26,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.  For more information about how SOPA inspires greatness, visit our Web site at www.specialolympicspa.org. 

Editors: If you’d like to interview Becky Fisher or Susan Mitchell, please contact Susan Prior at sprior@specialoylmpicspa.org.