Special Olympics Indiana’s foundational leadership program is Athlete Leadership University, which meets two weekends per year (Fall and Spring). Starting with the “Introduction to Athlete Leadership” course, athletes learn about Special Olympics, create a personal mission statement, and plan how they can lead in the organization. As athletes continue their training they develop basic leadership skills, apply these skills to specialty areas, and prepare themselves for leadership opportunities within the organization. Athlete leaders select one of seven majors — communication, events, governance, health and fitness, sports, technology, and leadership through visual arts. Each major consists of a series of courses leading to graduation two to three years later. Following each class session, an athlete leader must complete a practicum related to the course topic. Review our Handbook for Athlete Leaders for more details on Athlete Leadership University and the curriculum. Click here to learn more.