Unified Intramurals are Helping to Build Communities of Acceptance on College Campuses
Universities across Iowa are using the three core elements of Special Olympics College Club programming to build communities of acceptance and respect on their campuses. The three core elements are Unified sports, student leadership and opportunities for full campus engagement. Three universities, Drake University, St. Ambrose University and University of Iowa, have created opportunities for students to participate in Unified sports by starting Unified intramural seasons. The Unified intramural sports offered are basketball, flag football, rowing and volleyball. All though only three universities have Unified intramural sports programs, various universities across the state offer recreational Unified Sports opportunities on campus at Unified Sports Days.
This fall Drake University, St. Ambrose University and University of Iowa will all be holding a Unified Intramural Volleyball season.
State Flag Football Tournament and
Skills Competition is
Rescheduled for November 2
Due to the inclement weather on September 21, the State Flag Football Tournament and Skills Competition was canceled. We are excited to share that the tournament and skills competition has been reschedule for November 2. If you were registered to compete in state flag football, please watch for more information regarding the upcoming competition.
Event Details
Date: November 2, 2019
Location: Metro Youth Football Complex, Cedar Rapids
Click here for more information on State Flag Football.
Register to be a Volunteer this Fall
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available during the fall months. For more information about available opportunities refer to the Volunteer Page on the Special Olympics Iowa website or click on the event your interested in below.

Be Sure to Turn in Your 2019 SOIA Hall of Fame Nominations by October 18
The SOIA Hall of Fame was created in 2018 by the Board of Directors as a way to recognize longevity and achievement of athletes and volunteers within the organization.  

Nominations must be postmarked by October 18 .  
Hall of Fame Nominee Criteria
Athlete Prerequisites
- Athlete has participated for a minimum of 10 years.
-Athlete must have illustrated dedication to sport-specific training and competition.
-Athlete has demonstrated positive sportsmanship conduct.
-Athlete has displayed a positive attitude for his/her events thereby encouraging others to participate in those particular sports.
-Athlete demonstrates a significant positive impact within the Special Olympics movement.

 Volunteer Prerequisites (coaches, event volunteers, LETR, etc) 
- Volunteer has had no less than 10 years of ongoing involvement in Special Olympics.
-Volunteer demonstrates behavior and conduct associated with integrity and sportsmanship.
-Volunteer has demonstrated involvement on various levels.
State Volleyball Set for October 12
State Volleyball offers competition to athletes of all ability levels. Athletes can compete in Team Volleyball (6-on-6) or in the Developmental Division.

This year Healthy Athletes will be holding a Health Promotions event at the State Volleyball Tournament. Come get your height, weight and blood pressure checked, and learn about skin care, tobacco safety, bone health, hydration and more. New at this event, we will also be providing Bone Density Screenings. This is a pain free way to see how strong your bones are. No need to register for your screening, just stop by. Any questions can be directed to Kara Neustrom at kneustrom@soiowa.org .
Event Details
Date: October 12, 2019
Time: Opening Ceremonies (9:00 a.m.) & First Games (Begin at 9:30 a.m.)
Location: Forker Building, Iowa State University, Ames
For more information click HERE .
State Equestrian Recap
The Special Olympics Iowa Equestrian Competition was held on September 14 at the One Heart Equestrian Center in Ames. A total of 36 athletes competed in the one day competition. Athletes competed in one or two individual events, which include horsemanship, egg and spoon, barrel racing, ball drop, key hole race, pole bending and baton relay. Over the lunch break athletes were able to watch a cart driving demonstration; cart driving will be a new event for athletes to compete in starting in 2020. 
Get Your Football Tickets!
Friends and family of Special Olympics Iowa athletes are invited to save on the purchase of Iowa State(ISU) and Iowa football tickets. Gather your family and friends and enjoy discounted tickets to the games listed below. 

University of Iowa Order Here
-November 23 (Iowa vs. Illinois)

Iowa State University (Seats will be in sections K through P) Order Here
-October 26 (ISU vs. Ohlahoma State)
-November 16 (ISU vs. Texas) 
Special Olympics Iowa is the Charity of Choice

Special Olympics Iowa is excited to be the charity of choice for the upcoming IMT Des Moines Marathon.

IMT Des Moines Marathon
Date: October 19 and 20
Location: Court Avenue District, 300 Court Ave. Des Moines
Sponsor Spotlight: Voya
Voya is a Premier Statewide Partner that has been supporting athletes across Iowa for many years. Even before becoming a Premier Statewide Partner, Voya has been partnering with Special Olympics through year end giving campaigns at the national level.

Voya employees can be seen volunteering at area competitions and the State Summer Games. They also do a National Day of Service, where employees roll T-shirts, tie ribbons and a number of other tasks for Special Olympics programs across the country.
Fundraising Central
Truck Convoy

Truck Convoy for Special Olympics is a national one-day celebration of the trucking industry, allied partners and law enforcement all working together to help raise money for Special Olympics Iowa.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 5
Location: Veterans Parkway to Iowa State Fairgrounds
Cost: $100
Polar Plunge® - Ready, set, FREEZE!

Are you brave enough to face the cold and help raise money for Special Olympics Iowa? Check out the list of Polar Plunges below!
Fall Polar Plunge   Locations and Dates:
Davenport – Saturday, October 26
Sioux City - Saturday, October 26
Fort Dodge - Sunday, November 3
Dubuque - Saturday, November 16
West Des Moines - Sunday, December 8
Dunkin' Cop on a Rooftop Has Record Breaking Year
On Friday, September 6, law enforcement and Special Olympics athletes from across the state participated in our Annual Cop on a Rooftop event. There were 22 Dunkin' locations that participated, and a grand total of $31,024.75 was raised for Special Olympics Iowa. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated, and participated.
Congratulations to the Marshalltown Dunkin' location on being the top fundraiser with a total of $4,138.80!
To see more photos from the event, click HERE .
A Look Back at Over The Edge
On September 9 and 10 , we hosted our Annual Over the Edge event. Over 50 brave individuals faced their fears and rappelled 345 feet down the side of the Financial Center in downtown Des Moines! We would like to thank everyone who fundraised, donated, and supported the event!
Check out more photos from the event HERE .
Coaches Corner
Coaches' Guide Available Online!
The 2019-2020 SOIA Coaches' Guide is now available on our website !

Trainings 
Becoming a coach and coaching re-certification is now easier than ever!
 
Check out our "Become a Coach" page !
 
You can now become certified/re-certified ONLINE !
Contact Dawn Criss if you have any questions about coaching certification.

Registration Forms Available Online
Registration forms for Challenge Days and Young Athlete Play Days are now available online! Go to the Participation Forms page on our website to view registration forms for all SOIA events.

Share Your Story!
Do you know someone with a great story to share? We're always looking to share our athletes' stories in the newsletter. Please email Karen Whitman with your story ideas.
Event Calendar

Visit our online calendar for event updates!

October
1-Southwest Area Bowling (Ages 8-21)
3-Sioux City Young Athletes Play Day
4-South Central Area Bowling (Ages 8-29)
4-Dubuque Challenge Day
5-Chow's Gymnastics Fundraiser
5-Sioux City Unified Golf Tournament
5-Truck Convoy
5-Central Area Bowling
5-Northeast Area Bowling
5-Northwest Area Bowling
5-South Central Area Bowling (Ages 30+)
6-Intramural Unified Volleyball (Drake University)
6-Unified Volleyball Intramurals (St. Ambrose University)
8-Des Moines Public Schools Unified Sports Day
8-Southwest Area Bowling (Ages 22+)
11-Northwest Area Bowling
12-State Volleyball
12-Northwest Area Bowling (Plaza Lanes)
12-Northwest Area Bowling (Sweet 16 Lanes)
15-East Central Youth Bowling (Ages 8-21)
16-North Area Bowling
17-River Hills Challenge Day
17-North Central Area Bowling
17-West Central Area Bowling (Ages 8-21)
18-West Central Area Bowling (Ages 22+)
19-Upper Iowa University Unified Sports Day
19-Southeast Area Bowling (Age 22+)
20-Intramural Unified Volleyball (Drake University)
20-Unified Volleyball Intramurals (St. Ambrose University)
21-Medfest
21-Southeast Area Bowling (Ages 8-21 & All Ramp Bowlers)
26-Davenport Polar Plunge®
26-East Central Adult Bowling (Ages 22+)
26-Siouxland Polar Plunge®
27-Intramural Unified Volleyball (Drake University)
27-Unified Volleyball Intramurals (St. Ambrose University)

November
1-Council Bluffs Young Athlete Play Day
2-State Flag Football Tournament and Skills Competition
3-Fort Dodge Polar Plunge®
3-Intramural Unified Volleyball (Drake University)
3-Unified Volleyball Intramurals (St. Ambrose University)
7-Buena Vista University Unified Sports Day
7-Muscatine Young Athletes Play Day
8 & 9-Athlete Leadership Conference
10-Intramural Unified Volleyball (Drake University)
10-Unified Volleyball Intramurals (St. Ambrose University)
12-Southwest Area Unified Sports Training Day
14-Northwest Area Unified Sports Training Day
15-Northeast Area Rollerskating
16-Dubuque Polar Plunge®
17-Intramural Unified Volleyball (Drake University)
23-State Bowling

December
2-NAIA Volleyball Special Olympics Clinic
7-University of Iowa Unified Sports Day
8-West Des Moines Polar Plunge®