The rain showers didn't wash away the smiles on nearly 2,000 Special Olympics athletes' faces when Green Bay Packer linebacker, A.J. Hawk kicked off the Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) State Summer Games with a few words at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Quandt Gym on Thursday, June 10, 2010. Read more
For the 24th year, hundreds of law enforcement officers from around the state gathered to participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics Wisconsin on June 9th and 10th. As Guardians of the Flame®, these officers transported the torch from all corners of Wisconsin to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremonies of the State Summer Games in Stevens Point. Read More
More Than 50 Young Athletes from across the state came together for the first annual Young Athletes Statewide Culminating Event at Summer Games held at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Spectators came to cheer on the future Special Olympics athletes and their peers as they showcased their sports skills at each of the eight stations spaced out around Quandt Gym. At each station, children were recognized with stickers and received a participant ribbon at the Awards Ceremony. Learn more about Young Athletes
Coaches, supporters, and fans will wave farewell to Team Wisconsin's 63 athletes and 20 coaches as they board buses en route to Lincoln, Nebraska on Saturday, July 17 at 10:30 a.m. at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg.
Team Wisconsin's delegation will join nearly 3,000 other athletes from all 50 states for the second-ever Special Olympics U.S.A. National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska held July 18-23, 2010. Athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, bowling, bocce, basketball, golf, gymnastics, power lifting, soccer, and tennis. Thanks to Special Olympics Wisconsin's National Games partner, the statewide Knights of Columbus.
Brandon Drinkman, 24, has participated in Special Olympics athletics, basketball, volleyball, snowshoeing, and tee-ball for the past nine years. According to Drinkman, Special Olympics allowed him to make friends with coaches and athletes inside and outside his agency. Read More
Mark Mauthe, Investigator for the City of Menasha Police Department, will represent Wisconsin in the Law Enforcement Torch Run® Final Leg for the 2010 USA National Games which will take place July 18-23, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Read more
Hurry - Registration deadline is soon!
Join us for a Celebration of Area Award Winners on Sunday, August 1, 2010 at Epic, in scenic Verona, Wisconsin. Registration and housing deadline is July 1, 2010. Download this flier for details and to register for the event.
Congratulations to the following 2010 state award winners:
- Jerry Eilola Memorial Management Team Member:
Dave Braby
- Mike Schulte ALPs Award: Gordon Hodge
- Roger Kasper Volunteer Service Award: Linda Dahl
- Chairman's Award: Quad/Graphics
Denny's has launched a national fundraising promotion to raise support for Special Olympics athletes at home and around the world. Visit your nearest Denny's restaurant from May 25 to July 31, 2010 and make a donation at checkout. By doing so, you'll be a fan of Special Olympics.
All proceeds will benefit Special Olympics.
Learn more
Since the first of the year, Special Olympics Wisconsin has offered 32 training schools for coaches! SOWI currently has 2,297 sport certifications. The total number of individual coaches to date in Wisconsin is 1,172 with some coaches certified in more than one sport. Thank you to all SOWI coaches for volunteering your time and expertise in the sports you coach!
This video, sreated by University of Wisconsin Doctor of Physical Therapy students and Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes, instructs coaches and athletes on warm up, strength training and stretching exercises. View the video online
The sixth annual World's Largest Truck Convoy® for Special Olympics Wisconsin presented by Quad/Graphics will pull out on Saturday, September 18th from the Pioneer Travel Plaza in Richfield. Read more
Special Olympics golfers dusted off their golf clubs and hit the immaculate greens at University Ridge Golf Course last month for a training camp led by University of Wisconsin-Madison Women's Golf Team member, Heather Herrick and Women's Golf Coach, Todd Oehrlein. Read more
The Board of Directors Online Auction raised over $6,000 for Special Olympics in May. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Football fans flooded the Fox Cities Stadium to cheer on the Packers as the offense took on the defense at the 3rd Annual Donald Driver Charity Softball Tournament presented by Kwik Trip on Sunday, June 6, 2010. Read more
Back Row: Special Olympics Athlete Ben Combes and Green Bay Packer Jermichael Finley. Front Row: Special Olympics Athlete Steven Maletzke, Green Bay Packer Aaron Rodgers, Special Olympics athlete Cathy Morasch and Special Olympics Coach Frank Combes
Family survey results
A special thanks to all of our families and friends who took the time to complete our recent family survey! There are many great comments and suggestions that Special Olympics Wisconsin staff will be reviewing in the coming months. Look for updates on some of the suggestions in future Teammates and Agency Times! Also, congratulations to our four Kwik Trip gift card winners: Carin Leininger from Everest Area 2-28, Mary Kay Baumann from Ozaukee County 8-28, Lindy Spencer from Team Milwaukee 8-42 and Linda Hoffman of Arc Fox Cities 4-25!
The Law Enforcement Torch Run Assistant provides communications and administrative support to the Director of Development, Law Enforcement Torch Run and the three state-wide committees. Please send cover letter, resume, and salary requirements by July 14, 2010 to mwentzel@specialolympicswisconsin.org with Law Enforcement Torch Run Assistant in the subject line. No phone calls please! Download a position description for more information.
We're looking for brave souls to go "Over the Edge" and rappel down the side of a tall building in Madison on Sept. 2, 2010 or in Milwaukee on Sept. 8, 2010.
Heights not for you? Team up to raise money to "toss your boss" Over the Edge (with full safety gear of course). Check our website in July for more information and building sites!
Brandon Drinkman, Athletics
Trucking for a cause
