450 Volunteers Needed for Special Olympics New York State Summer Games in Ithaca June 20 & 21
1,200 Athletes & Coaches from Across NYS to Compete in Seven Sports
Ithaca, NY – The largest statewide Special Olympics New York statewide competition of the year will return to Ithaca June 20 & 21, for the fourth consecutive year. More than 1,200 athletes and coaches from throughout the state will be in the area for State Summer Games competition in seven sports: Basketball, Bowling, Powerlifting, Swimming, Track & Field, Tennis, and Volleyball.
Local leaders and athletes hosted a media event at Ithaca College today to announce the details of the Games and to recruit 450 volunteers from the Tompkins and Broome County communities.
No sports experience is necessary to volunteer. There is a range of jobs for individuals and groups, including set up, parking assistance, meal distribution, athlete escorts, photographers, timers, scorekeepers and more.
Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman said, “We are delighted to be back in Ithaca once again for our State Summer Games. This community has gone all out for our athletes each of the past three years, and we look forward to seeing all our old friends and making new ones next month.”
Ithaca College President La Jerne Terry Cornish said, “We are so pleased to once again have the opportunity to host the Special Olympics Summer Games on the Ithaca College campus. The joy on the athletes’ faces as they compete—win or lose—is a sight to behold. I guarantee to anyone who volunteers for this incredible event that you will get at least as much out of it as you put in.”
On Friday, June 20, athletes and coaches will travel to Ithaca from throughout the state, coming together for a signature Opening Ceremonies at Ithaca College, beginning at 7 p.m.. Sports competitions will take place all day Saturday, June 21, at the following locations: Ithaca College (Swimming, Powerlifting); Ithaca High School (Track & Field); Midway Lanes (Bowling); Boynton Middle School (Basketball Skills); and Cornell University (Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball), followed by Closing Ceremonies at Ithaca College.
State Summer Games is currently 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, NYCM Insurance, and Wegmans.
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