Special Olympics Massachusetts   
Local Program Communications Dashboard

Announcing the Summer  Games Athlete Input council!  

Hello Local Program Leadership!

My name is Matt Millett and I would like to invite you to send one athlete from your program to attend an Athlete Input Council. Input Councils is where athletes get to have their voices heard. Questions are asked and the athletes get to answer them (on their own, for themselves). The Input Councils help because they help Special Olympics know how athletes feel about certain subjects. They are a useful tool to help Special Olympics grow.

The Council will be held on Saturday, June 10th at Summer Games. the exact time and location are still being worked out.  

**All attendees must register in advance, we are asking for one athlete from each program at this time.**

I hope you are able to to send an attendee. Thanks,

Matt Millett
Special Olympics Athlete
Special Olympics Massachusetts Board member
United States Athlete Input Council representative


Sports Corner
Spring Season Qualifying Tournaments
Congratulations to everyone that competed during Spring Season Qualifying Tournaments and Invitationals.

Season Ending Tournament-Summer Games
Summer Games is fast approaching! Check the calendar page for updates, schedules and a link to the event guide.

Training Tip- Track & Field
Remember to prepare your athletes who are participating in running/walking events to start with the starting pistol. The sharp loud sound can be troublesome for some athletes so simulating this in practice is essential. A few ways to replicate the starting gun is to use two blocks of wood. To fully simulate the experience have your athletes assigned to a lane as if they are preparing for their race. Ready the athletes on their marks and to simulate the sound of the gun clap the two pieces of wood together. This sound is a low cost and efficient way to replicate the starting gun. 

Special Olympics USA Games 2018
Application Deadlines
  • May 31st- Officials Applications
  • June 23rd- Basketball, Bowling, Gymnastics, Track & Field and Swimming
  • December 1st- Soccer & Flag Football
The USA Games Section of the website has the applications and the sports/allotments that will be sent to USA Games in 2018.
Business Operations Corner
2017 Spring Season

Please keep in mind the following deadlines and timeline for Summer Games: 

Thursday May 25th
  • Final Registrations and Housing Forms Due
    • This year, Rich Hall is not available due to the freshman orientation. We will be using Warren Towers, Claflin Hall, Sleeper Hall, and 1019. The Operations Center will be in 1019.
    • Family Housing RSVP forms can be found on the Summer Games event page
    • Family Housing will be at 10 Buick Street this year.
    • Housing assignments will be sent out to coaches by the middle of next week.
The Week before Summer Games
  • Luggage tags will be mailed out to teams who are housing at BU.
Friday, June 9th
  • We will have participant credentials included with coaches packets at check in Friday afternoon for teams housing. With the quick turnaround from the last two qualifiers, we are unable to have enough time to print, laminate and mail credentials beforehand.
  • For anyone interested in picking them up beforehand, we are aiming to have them at our office in Marlboro the week before Summer Games
Saturday, June 10th
  • We will have participant credentials included with coaches packets at Dillon Field house Saturday morning for commuting teams to pick up. With the quick turnaround from the last two qualifiers, we are unable to have enough time to print, laminate and mail credentials beforehand.
  • For anyone interested in picking them up beforehand, we are aiming to have them at our office in Marlboro the week before summer games
Table of Contents
Quick Links


Don't forget to visit the calendar section of the website for all event specific information.
PHOTOS from events:
Check out photos from all of our sports and fundraising events: 

Event Photos

Click Galleries and then the season for sports photos. 
Community Development Corner

Catch a double header: New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire followed by the Unified Match between the Revolution & Fire Special Olympics Unified teams .

Summer Games Block Party
Join us before Summer Games opening ceremonies for the SOMA Block Party on Nickerson Field. We invite all programs to attend from 5PM-7PM. There will be music, poster decorating, fun games, healthy athletes and pizza from Papa Gino's. More information available in the Summer Games Event Guide.
Uniforms
Reminder that all uniforms must include the Special Olympics MA logo. Prior to purchase, uniform designs must be approved by your Community Development manager. Please review the Uniform Guide for more information or contact your Community Development manager to confirm you have the correct logo.
Red Sox Night
Save the date for Special Olympics Night on Monday, June 12th. See the Boston Red Sox take on the Philadelphia Phillies. Please visit the Boston Red Sox website  to purchase tickets. Once you click the link, click "Buy Tickets" and then on the next page, click "Log in". There is NO login required and this will bring up the page to select your tickets. 
Special Events Corner

Thank Your Local TD Bank!

TD Bank is on track to raise over 1 million dollars for Special Olympic chapters across the east coast in 2017! Please be sure to stop into your local TD brank to thank them for supporting Special Olympics MA. We have until Friday, June 23rd to help TD get to their goal! 

 
Register for the MARLBORO MOTORCYCLE RIDE By June 1st for the Chance to Win a Summertime Cooler!
Marlborough Police Dept will escort the 4th annual 60-mile ride around scenic Metro West on Saturday, June 24th. $20 for Riders, $10 for Passengers. BBQ and Raffle after the ride. Register by 11:59pm on May 31st to be entered into the contest!
  



Register for OVER THE EDGE by June 1st  for the Chance to Win a Bluetooth  Speaker!
There's still time to secure your spot for the best view in Boston! Register today to go Over the Edge for Special Olympics! Event is Saturday, July 15th.
*For full contest details, visit OverTheEdgeBoston.com or email overtheedge@specialolympicsma.org. Must be registered for Over the Edge to qualify for the contest.


                                                                           
2017 Xtra Mile Falmouth Road Race Team
Did last month's Boston Marathon inspire you to start running?
The best way to keep training is to have a goal! How about the Falmouth Road Race on Sunday, August 20th! Apply to join the 2017 #XtraMile team today! Click on the following link to fill out our online application! 
Contact race@specialolympicsma.org with any questions.


We are so happy to extend an invitation to everyone in our Special Olympics family to the 2017 Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
As we continue to celebrate 50 years of the Special Olympics Movement, we are so excited to honor the class of 2017! Please join us for this FREE event! 

Thursday, June 8, 2017 6:00 - Reception / 7:30 - Induction Ceremony
Gordon Indoor Track, Harvard Athletic Complex
69 North Harvard Street, Allston, MA 

RSVP & more information for this free event: specialolympicsma.org/rsvp

Inductees include:
The Lawson Family
The Keith Family
John Bassi
Greg Schwartz
Richard Spillane
Tom and Sue Flynn
Join the Conversation

Like us on Facebook     Follow us on Twitter     View our profile on LinkedIn     View on Instagram

Special Olympics Massachusetts 
 508-485-0986 | ops@specialolympcisma.org | www.specialolympicsma.org
Yawkey Sports Training Center
512 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752

Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.