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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
Donate

Spotlight

Stories

Photo of fruits with title: 3 fruits to improve performance

3 Fruits to Improve Health and Performance

When it comes to health and sports performance, nutrition plays a crucial role in fueling the body, enhancing endurance, and …

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A basketball team is celebrating on a stage at the Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando 2022. The team members are standing in a line, wearing white uniforms with medals around their necks. They are raising their arms in victory, some giving a thumbs-up. Behind them is a backdrop featuring the Special Olympics logo and colorful design elements. The front of the stage has a sign that reads "Special Olympics USA Games Orlando 2022."

Humility: John Wheeler Stands Above Through Modest Leadership

Team Indiana enjoyed the experience of a lifetime during the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. Competing on the national stage …

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Tito Castillo taking a knee and coaching his Special Olympics team.

Tito Castillo Supporting Athlete Achievements

Tito Castillo embodies what it means to be a servant leader. He exudes joy when talking connecting with the athletes …

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Athlete Liam Price of Greenwood standing onstage with a gold Olympic medal, smiling at the camera.

Indiana Athlete, Volunteer Named to Special Olympics USA Team

Special Olympics USA is proud to announce that it will send a 201-member delegation — including two from Indiana — …

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A group picture of smiling Erskine Ambassadors facing the camera.

Erskine Ambassadors Set Positive Example

Indiana icon and Major League Baseball great Carl Erskine has made a positive impact on the lives of countless Special …

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A picture of Michael Vanarsdall holding his award for Athlete of the Year.

Michael Vanarsdall Named Athlete of the Year

Michael Vanarsdall from Shelby County is the 2022 Spirit of Special Olympics Indiana Athlete of the Year award winner. Presented …

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SOIN volunteer congratulating an athlete onstage for her achievement.

Jan Wilson Named 2022 Volunteer of the Year

The 2022 Spirit of Special Olympics Indiana Volunteer of the Year award winner is the late Jan Wilson, from Steuben …

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Brendan Bridges onstage accepting his award for being named Officer of the Year.

Brendan Bridges Named Officer of the Year

Brendan Bridges from Decatur County is the 2022 Spirit of Special Olympics Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Officer of …

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Novotney Family accepting the award for 2022 Family of the Year

Novotney Family Named 2022 Family of the Year

The Novotney family from Madison County is the 2022 Spirit of Special Olympics Indiana Family of the Year award winner. …

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Faith Mayer accepting the award for 2022 Coach of the Year

Faith Mayer Named 2022 Coach of the Year

Faith Mayer from Vanderburg County is the 2022 Spirit of Special Olympics Indiana Coach of the Year award winner. Presented …

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Volunteer, Kristin Schoonveld, smiling and embracing a Special Olympics of Indiana Athlete.

Volunteer Spotlight: Kristin Schoonveld

After discovering a passion for working with people with intellectual disabilities while she was a student at North Central High …

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Tippecanoe County athlete Carlos Crawford with his arm around his friends neck, both wearing uniforms in the locker room.

Athlete Spotlight: Carlos’s Story

Empowered by his involvement in Special Olympics, Tippecanoe County athlete Carlos Crawford is changing his life for the better, one …

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