• 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, Fall 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
  • 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
  • Special Events
  • Ways to Give

    Featured Fundraiser

    Polar Plunge
    Polar Plunge

Young Champions

Young Champions is a partnership between Special Olympics Indiana and 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 recognized annually with a Unified Champion Schools® banner

Level: Pre-K through elementary

Unified Sports® Offered:

  • Unified Robotics
  • Unified Esports

  • State Office Contact

    Headshot

    Lisa Graham

    Unified Champion School Consultant

    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?  

    Teacher or administrator should contact Lisa Graham [email protected]. Parents/students should contact teacher/administrator at their child’s school first. 

    Make An Impact

    Impact Overview

    The influence that the Unified Champion Schools initiative has on students and school building.

    See Impact Overview

    Transitions Visual

    How young individuals can participate in Special Olympics throughout all grade levels while also participating in local programs at the same time.

    See Transitions Visual

    Roadmap

    The UCS roadmap helps schools along their inclusion journey by providing helpful tips and resources.

    See Roadmap