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  • About

    Find Your Local Program

    Special Olympics Indiana energizes athletes by organizing 10 dynamic Areas, each led by dedicated volunteers to support County Programs and host exciting regional competitions. Athletes thrive in vibrant community events, competing in various meets to earn their place in state-level championships.
    Find Your Community

    Our Initiatives

    Engage with athletes and volunteers across Indiana through our different Initiatives.

    About us

    Special Olympics Indiana engages and energizes athletes and volunteers throughout Indiana.

  • Competitions

    Next up, State Bowling!

    Bowling has grown into one of the most popular sports offered in our program. The State Bowling Tournament, held annually in late fall, brings together hundreds of athletes and Unified partners from across the state for two days of fun and competition in Indianapolis.
    Explore the Competition

    State Competitions & Beyond

    Special Olympics Indiana hosts a variety of state-level competitions year round and participates in a different national or global competition each year.

  • Athletes

    Become An Athlete

    Join Special Olympics Indiana, where 19,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities compete year-round in over 20 sports, enhancing fitness, showcasing courage, and sharing joy. Our Unified Sports® program fosters teamwork and inclusion by uniting athletes with and without disabilities. Be a part of something extraordinary!
    Start Playing Now

    • GETTING STARTED

      Getting started is easy! The first step is to fill out the Athlete Interest Form. This will help us learn more about your interests.

      Fill out the Athlete Interest Form

    • SPORTS OFFERED

      Join us and compete year-round in over 20 sports, enhancing fitness, showcasing courage, and sharing joy. Be a part of something extraordinary!

      Check Out the Sports

    • NEW TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS

      Whether you're a beginner or not, we welcome athletes of all abilities to join and be part of an empowering and inclusive community.

      Learn more

    • EXPLORE OUR COMPETITIONS

      From local tournaments to state championships, there are events for every level of ability. Each competition promotes sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun.

      SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING
  • Volunteer

    Explore Volunteer Opportunities

    Whether you volunteer year-round, seasonally, or for just one event, you'll create unforgettable moments and make a significant impact. Support over 19,000 athletes to encourage their growth and foster meaningful connections.
    Become a Volunteer

    • why volunteer

      Volunteers are the heartbeat of Special Olympics Indiana! Make a meaningful impact and be part of something transformative.

      become a volunteer

    • become a coach

      Become a Special Olympics coach and drive athlete performance and well-being with exceptional training and support.

      become a coach

    • Event day volunteer

      Volunteering on event day is easy and impactful! Take on roles like referee, scorekeeper, announcer, or awards presenter to make a difference in just a few hours.

      volunteer

    • local volunteer opportunities

      Make a direct impact and foster a supportive environment by getting involved locally today!

      explore opportunities
  • Special Events

    • Polar Plunge

      Be Bold, Get Cold! Show your support and make a splash this winter.

      Polar Plunge

    • Plane Pull Challenge

      The Plane Pull features the ultimate tug-of-war competition! Teams raise funds for the opportunity to test their strength by pulling an aircraft as fast as possible.

      Plane Pull

    • Law Enforcement Torch Run

      Officers and athletes rally together to support The Summer Games and raise funds for Special Olympics Indiana.

      Law Enforcement Torch Run

    • Charity Golf Classic

      This annual tradition unites our loyal supporters for an exclusive outing at one of Indiana’s top public golf courses!

      Charity Golf Classic

    • Breakfast With Champions

      Inspiring events highlighting the stories and impact of athletes, coaches, and volunteers in SOI programs.

      Breakfast With Champions

    • State Conference

      Featuring the Spirit of Special Olympics Awards, the annual Indiana State Conference provides training for program leaders, volunteers, and families.

      State Conference
  • Ways to Give

    Featured Fundraiser

    Polar Plunge
    Polar Plunge

    • donate now

      You can support Special Olympics in a variety of ways with a gift that makes an impact now.

      donate now

    • planned giving

      Consider including Special Olympics in your will or trust to create a lasting impact.

      Learn More

    • become a sponsor

      With events ranging from local to global in scale, there is opportunity for sponsors of every size to support Special Olympics.

      become a sponsor

    • contribute clothes

      Don’t need it? We’ll take it! Donate clothes at over 400 Special Olympics Indiana bins statewide.

      contribute clothes
Find Your Program
Stories State Calendar Who We Are
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Young Champions

Young Champions is a partnership between Special Olympics Indiana and the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education (ICASE) that facilitates participation in UCS programming by elementary and preschools throughout Indiana. Schools that have distinguished themselves through inclusive activities and by meeting or exceeding the four components and recognized annually with a Unified Champion Schools® banner

Level: Pre-K through elementary

Unified Sports® Offered:

  • Unified Robotics

    • State Office Contact

    Headshot

    Lisa Graham

    Unified Champion School Consultant

    [email protected]

    Criteria For Success

    Young Champion programs strive to excel In four areas: Inclusive youth leadership, whole school engagement, Unified Sports® and collaborative fundraising.

    Inclusive Youth Leadership

    All school-sponsored UCS activities should be planned, organized and administered by an “Inclusive Student Leadership Team” that strives to do things WITH students with intellectual disabilities, NOT FOR them.

    Whole School Engagement

     The school should participate in at least one activity designed around “Whole School Engagement” and/or a school-wide fundraiser for Special Olympics Indiana that promotes and encourages awareness, respect, and inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities.
    School Assemblies

    Hosted by comedian Craig Tornquist, our high energy school assemblies are an uplifting and fun way to energize your school while learning about Champions Together and Unified Champion Schools. Best known for his love of audience participation, Craig has delighted more than 3,000 school assembly crowds across the country and is joined by Special Olympics Indiana staff and student ambassadors in providing an overview of our program.

    To host an assembly at your school, contact Craig Tornquist at [email protected] or (574) 360-0853.

    Unified Sports ®

     The school should organize and participate in at least one Unified Sports® activity, such as a Unified Track and Field meet, a Unified Fitness Club, Unified Robotics, a Unified Physical Education class, or a Unified competition.

    Collaborative Fundraising

     The school should fundraise a minimum of $250 for Special Olympics Indiana to assist in sustaining and expanding UCS activities such as the Young Champions program.

    2023-2024 Banner Schools

    Akron Elementary School
    Boone Meadow Elementary School – Zionsville
    Busy Bees Academy
    Center Grove Elementary School
    Converse Elementary
    Eagle Elementary School
    Eastbrook North Elementary
    Eastern Elementary School
    Eden Elementary – Greenfield
    Frances Slocum Elementary
    Greenfield Intermediate School
    Harris Elementary School
    Homan Elementary School
    James H. Watson Elementary School
    J.B. Stephens Elementary
    Justice Thurgood Marshall Intermediate
    Manchester Elementary School
    Manchester Intermediate School
    Maple Grove Elementary School
    Maxwell Intermediate School
    Mentone Elementary School
    Milroy Elementary School
    Mishawaka Battell Elementary

    Mishawaka Beiger Elementary School
    Mishawaka Emmons Elementary
    Mishawaka Hums Elementary School
    Mishawaka Lasalle Elementary School
    Mishawaka Liberty Elementary
    Mishawaka Twin Branch Elementary School
    Mitchell Elementary School
    North Grove Elementary
    OJ Neighbours Elementary School
    Park Elementary
    Pleasant Grove Elementary School
    Pleasant View Elementary Zionsville
    Protsman Elementary School
    Stonegate Elementary School – Zionsville
    Sugar Grove Elementary School
    Swayzee Elementary
    Sweetser Elementary
    Trailside Elementary School – Zionsville
    Union Elementary School – Zionsville
    W.D. Richards Elementary
    Walnut Grove Elementary School
    Wayne Center Elementary
    Weston Elementary

    How to get involved at your school

    Parents should contact a teacher or administrator at their child’s school first.

    Resources