Villanova University has been a part of the fabric of Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) since 1979 and is the official host of the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival state games each November.  In 1989, the former SOPA Eastern State Soccer Tournament was changed into a Fall Festival that welcomed the addition of roller skating, volleyball, long distance running/walking, and equestrian to its competitive sporting events.  Equestrian was later replaced with power lifting, and the precision sport of bocce was soon introduced.

The Fall Festival is hosted and organized by Villanova University students and is the largest annual student-run Special Olympics event in the world.  For one weekend each year, Villanova University opens its campus up to over 1,000 athletes, 400 coaches, and 2,000 volunteers from the Villanova Student Body, surrounding community, and corporations.  The athletes who participate in the Fall Festival compete in a total of six Olympic-type sports including bocce, long distance running, power-lifting, roller skating, soccer and volleyball.  However, sporting events are just a small component of the overall weekend.  Villanova’s campus is transformed into an athlete’s wonderland, incorporating Opening Ceremonies; a parade; Healthy Athlete screenings; an Olympic Town offering face painting, food and fun; a Victory Dance; and Closing Ceremonies.  There is no charge to participate in the Fall Festival or in any other Special Olympics event.  All housing and meals for the weekend are provided by Villanova University and Special Olympics Pennsylvania.

The event requires 2,000 volunteers from the Villanova University student body, corporate organizations and the surrounding community.

Spectators are encouraged to visit any of the competition venues on or near campus and cheer on athletes at Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s second largest event of the year.

Fall Festival 2011 was held from November 4 - 6, 2011. 

For more information, visit http://www.villanova.edu/studentlife/specialolympics/.

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2010 FALL FESTIVAL RECAP 

The 2010 Fall Festival was held from November 5 - 7, 2010 at Villanova University. This year's event featured a new theme of the1950s!

Villanova University has been a part of the fabric of Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) since 1979 and is the official host of the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival state games each November. The Fall Festival is hosted and organized by Villanova University students and is the largest annual student-run Special Olympics event in the world. For one weekend each year, Villanova University opens its campus up to more than 1,000 athletes, 300 coaches, and 3,000 volunteers from the Villanova Student Body, surrounding community, and corporations. 

2010 Philadelphia Insurance Companies Award of Valor

Each year, Philadelphia Insurance Companies make it a point to sponsor and volunteer for Fall Festival.   In addition, the company presents an athlete with the prestigious Award of Valor.  For the last two years, the company has given the award to a worthy volleyball athlete.  This year they decided to honor an athlete in the sport of long distance running/walking.

The Award of Valor was created to recognize an athlete who puts his or her heart and soul into their competition and who truly is a leader and role model for his/her teammates and competitors.  This year’s award was presented to Nicholas Canup from our Bucks County program.

Pictured from left to right: Philadelphia Insurance Companies representative Bill McKenna stands with Bucks County athlete Nicholas Canup.

2010 GEICO Spirit Award

GEICO is Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s statewide Victory Dance sponsor and presenter of the 2010 Sprit Award.   The GEICO Spirit Award is given to an athlete whose effort, determination, and sportsmanship is award-winning and inspirational.  She/he embodies the human spirit to overcome challenges and inspire greatness both on and off of the playing field.  The 2010 Spirit Award was presented to Amanda Smith from our Adams County program.

Pictured from left to right: Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Board Chairman Buddy Casado stands with Adams County athlete Amanda Smith and SOPA President and CEO Matthew Aaron.