Special Olympics New York State Summer Games Returns to Ithaca June 20 & 21

1,200 Athletes & Coaches to Compete in Largest Statewide Competition of 2025 

Ithaca, NY – The largest Special Olympics New York competition of the year is a little more than a week away. More than 1,200 Special Olympics New York athletes and coaches from throughout New York will be in Broome and Tompkins Counties for State Summer Games, Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21. 

“After months of training and hard work, our athletes are more than ready to go for the gold in seven sports,” said Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “We are so thankful to the local community for supporting the Games for the fourth year in a row. Get ready, Ithaca—this is going to be our best Summer Games yet!” 

Venues hosting the Games are the following: Ithaca College (Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Swimming, Powerlifting); Ithaca High School (Track & Field, Basketball Skills); Midway Lanes (Bowling); and Cornell University (Basketball, Tennis, and Volleyball). 

All State Summer Games events are OPEN PRESS and free to attend. The public schedule is as follows: 

FRIDAY, JUNE 20 

Fitness Performance Stations  

Friday, June 20, 5 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. 

Ithaca College, A&E Center, 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca 

Athletes will visit Performance Stations to learn about how fitness and nutrition contribute to improved sport performance. Stations staffed by local sponsors and healthcare volunteers include focuses on physical activity/stretching, nutrition, hydration, and goal setting/positive mindset. 

State Summer Games Opening Ceremonies 

Friday, June 20, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.  

Ithaca College, A&E Center, 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca 

Special Olympics New York’s signature kick-off will include the parade of athletes, remarks by President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman, local officials and athlete representatives as well as the traditional Law Enforcement Torch Run and lighting of the cauldron. 

SATURDAY, JUNE 21 

State Summer Games Sports Competitions 

Saturday, June 21, approximately 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

  • Track & Field, Ithaca High School, 1401 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
  • Basketball, Cornell University (Barton Hall, Gyms 1&2), 117 Statler Drive, Ithaca
  • Basketball Skills, Boynton (Ithaca) Middle School-Gym, 1601 N Cayuga St, Ithaca
  • Bowling, Midway Lanes, 213 N. Jensen Rd., Vestal
  • Powerlifting, Ithaca College (A&E Center), 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca
  • Swimming, Ithaca College (A&E Center Natatorium), 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca
  • Tennis, Cornell University (Reis Tennis Center), 230 Pine Tree Rd., Ithaca
  • Volleyball, Cornell University (Newman Arena at Bartels Hall), 554 Campus Rd, Ithaca 

Healthy Athletes Screenings 

Saturday, June 21, 5:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 

Ithaca College, A&E Center, 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca 

Athletes participating in the Games will receive free health screenings from volunteer medical professionals and students. Health disciplines represented will be Healthy Hearing (Audiology), Health Promotion (General Health/Nutrition), FUNFitness (Physical Therapy), Opening Eyes (Vision), Special Smiles (Dentistry) and Strong Minds (Emotional/Behavioral Health). 

Closing Ceremonies & Victory Dance 

Saturday, June 21, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.   

Ithaca College, A&E Center, 953 Danbury Rd., Ithaca 

Athletes, coaches and volunteers come together one final time to celebrate the achievements, show off their medals and participate in a traditional Victory Dance with music by DJ Double A before extinguishing the Flame of Hope to mark the official closing of the Games. 

State Summer Games is proudly sponsored by the following: Chobani, Mother Cabrini, Cayuga Health, Elks Major Projects, Gallagher, NYAble, NYSID, Chemung Canal Trust Company, Challenge Solutions, Broome County, Tompkins County, Guthrie, Healthy Athletes, Wegmans, NYCM Insurance, FNYIP, NY Islanders, TSB Foundation, and BorgWarner.

Volunteer or make a donation to support the Games HERE. 

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