Special Olympics Connecticut will host its Annual Unified Sports® Holiday Classic, presented by the Connecticut Elks Association, on Saturday, November 23rd and Sunday, November 24th. All are invited to attend and experience the camaraderie and excitement of the games. Participants will challenge themselves, work together as a team and show off their skills as they compete in basketball, bowling, powerlifting and volleyball throughout the weekend. For more information, visit soct.org, call 203-230-1201 or email specialolympicsct@soct.org. And, follow Special Olympics Connecticut on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Sports, times and locations for this year’s Unified Sports® Holiday Classic include:
• Basketball at Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden
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Saturday - Competition, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Opening Ceremonies, 9:45 a.m.
Sunday – Competition and Awards, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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• Bowling at Bowlero, 1717 Boston Post Road, Milford, and AMF Circle Lanes, 525 Main Street, East Haven
Saturday – Morning Session Opening Ceremonies, 9 a.m.; Competition and Awards, 9:15 a.m. to noon
Afternoon Session Opening Ceremonies, 1 p.m.; Competition and Awards, 1:15 to 4 p.m.
Sunday – Morning Session Opening Ceremonies, 9 a.m.; Competition and Awards, 9:15 a.m. to noon
Afternoon Session Opening Ceremonies, 1:15 p.m.; Competition and Awards, 1:15 to 4 p.m.
• Powerlifting at Gleason Performance Training, 38 Commerce Street, Derby
Sunday only – Opening Ceremonies, 10 a.m.; Competition and Awards, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Volleyball at Hamden Hall Beckerman Athletic Center, 225 Skiff Street, Hamden
Saturday – Opening Ceremonies, 9 a.m.; Competition and Awards, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday – Opening Ceremonies, 9 a.m.; Competition and Awards, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event will feature Special Olympics Unified Sports® which brings individuals with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team to inspire inclusion and friendship. More than 2,000 athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and Unified partners (their teammates without intellectual disabilities) who’ve completed a minimum of eight weeks practicing their respective sport are expected to participate.
Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program offerings for Unified Sports® Holiday Classic participants will include:
Strong Minds at Hamden Hall Beckerman Athletic Center (volleyball) on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Strong Minds is an interactive learning activity focused on developing adaptive coping skills including strategies for maintaining emotional wellness under stress. Strategies including positive thoughts, releasing stress and connecting with others.
FUNfitness at Hamden Hall Beckerman Athletic Center (volleyball) on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
FUNfitness provides athletes the opportunity to be screened for flexibility, strength, and balance. During the screenings physical therapists and students work with athletes and coaches to improve optimal function in sports training and competition.
Special Smiles at Quinnipiac University Recreation Center 2nd Floor, Studio A (basketball) on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Special Smiles provides oral health care information that includes a dental screening and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques at athletes.
In addition to the Connecticut Elks Association, sponsors of the Unified Sports® Holiday Classic include Comcast and NBC Connecticut, Hamden Hall Country Day School and Quinnipiac University – Gold Sponsors and Feroleto Steel Company, High Life, LAZ Parking Charitable Foundation, Synchrony Financial and Webster Bank and HSA Bank – Bronze Sponsors. Gleason Performance Training is a Supporting Sponsor and Bigelow Tea is a Contributing Sponsor. Media Sponsors include Hearst Connecticut Media Group, iHeart Radio Connecticut and NBC Connecticut.
About Special Olympics Connecticut
Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 12,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities.
Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 172 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for all people, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)
Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Dream Ride, ESPN, Eversource Energy, The Golisano Foundation, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, United Technologies and WWE.
Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Campus Customs, The Coca-Cola Company, Connecticut Portable Storage/PODS, Dunkin’ Donuts, Guida’s Milk and Ice Cream, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Marcus Communications, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and WORX.
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