Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Susan Prior, (800) 235-9058, ext. 231

On-site Contact Number:  610-329 4185

sprior@specialoylmpicspa.org

Penn State hosts Thousands at the

Special Olympics Pennsylvania

2005 Summer Games, June 9-12

(Norristown, PA, April 9) The 2005 Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Summer Games are set for June 9-12, 2005, at Penn State University in State College.  This is the 18th consecutive year that the campus will host the event, which will bring together over 2,000 athletes and 700 coaches from across the state for three days of intense competition in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, softball and tennis.

Preliminary Summer Games competition will begin on Thursday, June 9, in the following events:  athletics, basketball, golf, softball and aquatics.  Thursday will conclude with the traditional fanfare of Opening Ceremonies, sponsored by Citizens Bank, at Penn State’s Jeffrey Field, beginning at 7:15 p.m.  On Friday, June 10, competition will begin in bowling, equestrian, gymnastics and tennis, with Saturday also featuring competition at most venues.  Closing Ceremonies and a Victory Dance for the athletes at the University’s Rec Hall will round out three days of vigorous competition on Saturday evening. 

Last year’s Summer Games drew approximately 2,000 volunteers from the State College community to serve as officials, timers, athlete escorts and award presenters, as well as to provide administrative support services.  New volunteers and spectators are always welcome.  There is never any cost for volunteers or spectators to participate at Special Olympics.  For more information about volunteering, please call the Special Olympics State College office at (800) 865-3600 or volunteer@sopasummergames.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) 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.  For more information about Summer Games, visit www.sopasummergames.org.