Special Olympics Coming to Campus on Saturday

Posted  5/10/2013
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The University of Hartford will once again host competitions in aqatics.

On Saturday, May 11, the University of Hartford and Hartford Public High School will host the 2013 Special Olympics Connecticut Eastern Regional Games. Approximately 700 athletes, 200 coaches, and more than 400 volunteers will take part in the event, which includes competitions in athletics and aquatics. This is the 10th year that the University of Hartford will host the Games.

Volunteers are still needed in both sport and non-sport areas. If you would like to volunteer and have not pre-registered, please arrive by 8 a.m. Saturday at the site where you would like to volunteer (University of Hartford or Hartford Public High School). Once on site, follow signs to the “Volunteer Registration” area, and step right up to the "Walk-in Registration" line.

For information on volunteer opportunities, directions, and much more, go to www.hartford.edu/soct. 

Opening Ceremonies for the Games will start at 9 a.m. at the Sports Center. Opening Ceremonies and aquatics competitions will be held at the University, and athletics competitions will be held at Hartford Public High School. In addition, both venues will have an Olympic Town area where athletes can enjoy music, dancing, and arts and crafts. The event is free and open to the public.

The 2013 Eastern Regional Games will be the largest regional competition this year and most will advance to the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games June 7-9 in New Haven. Hoffman Audi is the Presenting Sponsor for the Eastern Regional Games, and Lincoln Waste Solutions is a Silver Medal Sponsor.

More than a dozen University of Hartford staff members serve on the Games’ Organizing Committee. University President Walter Harrison is a strong supporter of Special Olympics Connecticut and has been recognized for his efforts by the organization’s Board of Directors. This year’s co-chairs are Christine Grant and Susan Fitzgerald.

Since 1969, Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT) has provided year-round sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities through local, regional and state programs. SOCT serves 7,100 athletes throughout the state. Over 10,000 general volunteers and 1,100 volunteer coaches are involved with SOCT programs statewide.