The 2019 Indiana Summer Games will be held June 7-9 in Terre Haute. Competition will take place on and around the campus of Indiana State University, with all Swimming events to be held at the nearby Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

For more details about the 2019 Indiana Summer Games, download the full 2019 Summer Games Pre-Arrival Guide or visit our Resource Library for all necessary forms and related documents.

Sites

Indiana State University
200 North 7th Street
Terre Haute IN 47809
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Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
5500 Wabash Avenue
Terre Haute IN 47803
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Collett Park
N. 7th St. & Maple Ave.
Terre Haute, IN 47804
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Terre Haute Bowling Center
600 E. Springhill Dr.
Terre Haute, IN  47802
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Vigo Bowl
210 S. 9th 1/2 St.
Terre Haute, IN  47807
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50th Anniversary

“Whereas in 1969 Special Olympics desperately needed the community’s support, I tell you now – 50 years later – our communities desperately need Special Olympics. In an era when hope is shrinking and the world seems to be coming apart at the seams, inspiration is available in the form of Special Olympics. Despite challenges beyond most of our imaginations – poor health, underemployment, low expectations, and under-funded programs – Special Olympics athletes refuse to be defeated.” – Mike Furnish, Former President & CEO, Special Olympics Indiana.

In 1969, Special Olympics was an organization FOR people with intellectual disabilities. Now in 2019, Special Olympics is an organization FROM people with intellectual disabilities. As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary in June, we begin looking to who we want to be as an organization in the next 50 years.

That time for celebration must come with moments of reflection. Where have we been and where do we need to go. Proud of our past. Focused on the future.

SUMMER GAMES THEME

This year is an important one for Special Olympics Indiana, as we celebrate 50 years of changing lives through the transformative power of sports. The spark that became today’s Special Olympics movement ignited at the first International Summer Games in 1968, and Indiana officially got its start just one year later in 1969.

In the five decades since, Special Olympics Indiana has grown and evolved—using sports, health, education, and leadership programs every day around the state to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. The athletes competing here at Summer Games are among more than 16,000 now served each year, and we know they will make us all proud as they have the honor of kicking off this 50th Anniversary season.

HASH TAGS

Please use the hashtags #JoyOfInclusion and #SOIN50 when sharing images and experiences on social media during the 2019 Summer Games.

JOY OF INCLUSION

To celebrate our 50th anniversary milestone and the spirit of our Special Olympics athletes everywhere, the “Joy of Inclusion” figure was created. Our athletes and the Terre Haute community are invited to show your support by standing with your arms raised “Joyfully” and completing the Special Olympics logo as shown below.

This figure can be found throughout the weekend at the ceremonial finish line in the former track & field venue called Marks Field, where thousands of Indiana track & field athletes competed over our history (on 4th St. near the Bocce fields and in front of the main entrance to Healthy Athletes). To get your picture taken and a free print, please visit the Joy of Inclusion between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Friday, June 7 or Saturday, June 8.

OPENING CEREMONIES SHIRTS, PROVIDED BY TERRE HAUTE COMMUNITY

A gift from the Terre Haute community to all athletes and Unified partners competing at the 2019 Summer Games, these commemorative athletic shirts will be provided after check-in and should be worn to Opening Ceremonies. Just one more way to make the 50th Anniversary special.

50th ANNIVERSARY TRADING PINS

In 2019, Special Olympics Indiana created a limited number of trading pins to celebrate our great partners and events. From Souvenirs to Healthy Athletes, there are eleven (11) total commemorative trading pins to complete the 50th Anniversary set. Will you be able to collect them all?

50th ANNIVERSARY TRADING CARDS

In celebration of our 50th Anniversary, Special Olympics Indiana will have trading cards commemorating the 100 most influential people, events, or programs in our history. In packs of 5, athletes will be given their first pack. Additional packs will be available at the Souvenirs Tent.

FIREWORKS

Our 50th Anniversary celebration on Saturday doesn’t end with the final dance. Thanks to our great partners with the Terre Haute Conventions and Visitor’s Bureau, the night will conclude with a colorful fireworks display. For any attendees who may not like the loud noise or bright, flashing lights, we suggest departing the dance before the fireworks begin at 9:45 PM.

HOUSING & DINING

Dining for delegations staying at Indiana State University will be at Student Union. Sycamore Dining Services is closed due to renovations. Delegations housed in Sycamore Towers will eat out of the Banquet Center while all other delegations will eat out of the DeDe Center. Check out the webinar for more details.

SPORTS SCHEDULES

In an effort to give our athletes more time to experience Olympic Town, Healthy Athletes, Souvenirs and more, we worked to create a block of free time in each of our sports schedules. Be sure to watch the Summer Games sports webinar for more details on these changes. Here is a brief overview of what to expect:

• Bocce – We will use a two-session format for bocce. Delegations will have all of their teams compete during one of the two sessions. Those same teams will not compete during the other session.
• Bowling – No changes.
• Cycling – No changes.
• Horseshoes – All competition will now take place on Saturday only.
• Powerlifting – The coaches meeting and weigh-in for all athletes will take place on Friday. The schedule for the rest of competition will be determined based on weigh-ins. Competition will take place on Saturday and Sunday.
• Swimming – All relays and events 100yds or greater are now timed finals. There will be no swimming competition on Saturday afternoon. For events with prelims, finals will take place on Sunday.
• Track & Field – The track & field schedule was rearranged so that each level has one session off from competition.
• Volleyball – There will be two sessions of pool play (one Friday afternoon, one Saturday morning) which will be used for divisioning. Each team will compete in one of the two sessions and be off during the other session. Semi-finals and finals for all teams still take place on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

FITNESS CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY FINISH LINE

Encourage your athletes to stop by Wolf Field from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Friday for various drills & activities to explore a new sports initiative . . . . SOCCER. At 3:00 PM, stop by the stage in Olympic Town to get movin’ and groovin’ with the Finish Line team who will lead an active movement to keep the athletes energized.

FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS IN OLYMPIC TOWN

The Festival of Champions will be an evening filled with exciting entertainment and activities for all ages and abilities to enjoy. Please join us for a fun-filled evening of dancing, music and fun with your friends. The festivities will conclude with fireworks provided by the Terre Haute Conventions and Visitor’s Bureau. If you have athletes who do not do well with fireworks, please make the necessary arrangements. They will start at 9:45 PM.

RUN UNIFIED RELAY

Chosen as the 50th Anniversary celebratory event, this premiere race will combine select law enforcement, sponsor participants and Special Olympics athletes in a competitive 4 x 100 relay. Because of the event’s great success in 2018, this year it will include a community run leading into the relay. This will include the entrance of the Flame of Hope onto campus! Spectators are welcome and encouraged to be at the track at 2:15 PM to be part of the celebration at 2:30 PM. Please join us to celebrate the 50th Anniversary!

UNIFIED SPORTS EXPERIENCE

The Unified Sports Experience will be coming to Olympic Town (Wolf Field) at Summer Games as an additional activity added to celebrate our 50th Anniversary. A key component of the Unified Sports Experience is having people with and without intellectual disability compete together. We want to demonstrate the idea of unified in as many ways as possible to reinforce respect, inclusion and equality, not to mention it will be fun! In addition to the adrenaline rush and thrill of competition, participants will receive 50th souvenir for their participation.

There is no fee to join for anyone (volunteer, coach or athlete) who wants to play but space will be limited and it will be first come, first served. Please join us Saturday, June 8 at 10:00 AM (Unified Soccer) or 1:30 PM (Unified Volleyball).

THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2019

• 6 PM – 9 PM:  Delegation Registration (Thursday Arrivals & Days Only)
• 10 PM:  Heads of Delegation (HOD) Meeting, Burford Hall

FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2019

• 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Delegation Registration (Friday Arrivals & Days Only)
• 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM:  Team Camp Drop-Off
• 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM:  Volunteer Check-In
• 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM:  Olympic Town & Souvenirs Tent, presented by Duke Energy
• 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Competition – Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Powerlifting, Track & Field, Volleyball
• 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM:  Competition – Swimming
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM:  Finish Line Fitness Challenge, Interactive Soccer Demonstration (Wolf Field)
• 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM:  Run Unified Relay (Gibson Track)
• 7:00 PM – 7:15 PM:  Athletes Arrival to Opening Ceremonies
• 7:30 PM – 10 PM:  Opening Ceremonies

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2019

• 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM:  Volunteer Check-In
• 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM:  Competition – Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Horseshoes, Powerlifting, Swimming, Track & Field, Volleyball
• 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM:  Olympic Town & Souvenirs Tent, presented by Duke Energy
• 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM:  Healthy Athletes Screenings at CHHS Building
• 10:00 AM:  Unified Sports Experience, Soccer (Wolf Field)
• 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM:  Competition – Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Horseshoes, Powerlifting, Track & Field, Volleyball
• 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM:  Movie Matinee, featuring the movie Mary Poppins
• 3:00 PM:  Unified Sports Experience, Volleyball (Wolf Field)
• 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM:  Worship Service (Olympic Town)
• 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM:  Festival of Champions at Olympic Town
• 8:00 PM – 10:15 PM:  Movie Night, featuring the movie Mary Poppins Returns
• 9:45 PM:  Fireworks provided by Terre Haute Conventions & Visitor’s Bureau

SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2019

• 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM:  Volunteer Check-In
• 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM:  Athlete Input Council in Olympic Town
• 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM:  Competition – Bocce, Bowling, Swimming, Powerlifting, Track & Field, Volleyball
• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM:  Olympic Town & Souvenirs Tent, presented by Duke Energy

For information about volunteering at the 2019 Indiana Summer Games, please click here. Questions about volunteering should be directed to Kevin Aders, Central Regional Manager