The University of Iowa Is Iowa's First National Unified Champion School
On November 17, the University of Iowa was presented with their Special Olympics National Unified Champion School Banner, making them the first collegiate institution in Iowa to receive this honor. The recognition came after the University of Iowa met the 10 standards of excellence that focus on Special Olympics Unified Sports®. Go Hawks!
Become SOIA's First Healthy Young Athletes Clinical Director!
Special Olympics Iowa is in need of a Clinical Director for the new Healthy Athletes® discipline Healthy Young Athletes. Healthy Young Athletes promotes opportunities for families to maximize their child's health and development outside of the primary care visit through comprehensive support, coordination, and education. A Clinical Director is an important part of the Healthy Young Athletes team, as they are responsible for working with Special Olympics Iowa and other volunteer health professionals to coordinate a Healthy Young Athletes event in Central Iowa.

If you are a pediatrician, pediatric nurse practitioner or family medicine physician interested in this volunteer role, email Kara Enerson at kenerson@soiowa.org.
Basketball Is Back!
This winter, athletes will be back in the gym showing off their basketball skills in regional team basketball tournaments and area basketball skills competitions. Both the regional basketball tournaments and area basketball skills competitions are qualifiers for the Mid-Winter Tournament scheduled for Saturday, March 12.

One Million Steps in 20 Weeks!
We are so excited to begin 2022 with the Special Olympics Lead Up Fitness Challenge created to help athletes prepare for upcoming sports competitions. The challenge will utilize a brand new Special Olympics fitness app, SO FitNow. This app (also available in website form) will sync to most step tracking devices, including Fitbits and Apple watches. This means you can get steps for things like swimming, dancing, online workout videos, and more. The app will also have Fit 5 exercise videos and Strong Minds meditations. Let’s STEP it into gear and return stronger than ever in 2022. The challenge runs from January 10 to May 29.

Registration closes on December 15 at 12:00 pm.
Special Olympics Iowa Night With the Iowa Wolves
Join us for an exciting evening cheering on the Iowa Wolves. The Iowa Wolves will tip-off against the Agua Caliente Clippers at 7:00 pm on Saturday, February 5.

Date: February 5, 2022
Location: Wells Fargo Arena
Ticket Price: $5 a ticket

Winter Games
Join us in Dubuque for the Winter Games on January 10 and 11. The Games will feature athletes competing in snowshoeing and skiing events. Snowshoeing events will take place at Camp Albrecht Acres, and the skiing events will be at Sundown Mountain.
Fundraising Central
Fall Polar Plunges
The final Polar Plunge® of the fall season was held this past weekend in Wes Des Moines. The five (Siouxland, Davenport, Fort Dodge, Dubuque, and West Des Moines) fall Polar Plunges had a combined 365 plungers and chickens that raised more than $88,700 for Special Olympics Iowa athletes and Unified partners. Thank you to everyone who supported the Polar Plunges and help make the return to in-person events a success!
7th Annual Norwalk Dodgeball Tournament
Gather your team and get ready to dodge! The 7th Annual Norwalk Dodgeball Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, February 5.


Date: February 5, 2022
Cost: $200 per team
Location: Lakewood Elementary in Norwalk
Finish Line Youth Foundation Fundraiser
This holiday season, the Finish Line Youth Foundation is fundraising for Special Olympics athletes to provide them with new sneakers, free health screenings, and more! Visit your local Finish Line OR JD Sports US now until January 2 to donate.
Coaches Corner
Registration Forms Available Online
Registration forms for programs and sports competitions are available online! Go to the Participation Forms page on our website to view registration forms for upcoming SOIA events.

Share Your Story!
Do you know someone with a great story to share? We're always looking to share our athletes' stories. If you have a story idea about an athlete, coach, volunteer, or family, please email Karen Whitman at kwhitman@soiowa.org.
Event Calendar

Visit our online calendar for event details!

December

January
10 - Special Olympics Lead Up Challenge Begins
10 & 11 - Winter Games
13 - Southwest Area Basketball Skills Competition
15 - East Regional Basketball Tournament
15 - East Area Basketball Skills Competition
20 - North Area Basketball Skills Competition
20 - West Central Basketball Skills Competition
22 - South Central Area Basketball Skills Competition
29 - Northwest Area Basketball Skills Competitions
29 - West Central Regional Basketball Tournament

February
5 - 7th Annual Norwalk Dodgeball Tournament
5 - Special Olympics Iowa Night with the Iowa Wolves
5 - West Regional Basketball Tournament
10 - North Central Area Basketball Skills Competition
11 - Central Area Basketball Skills Competition
12 - Wartburg Unified Sports Day
18 - Council Bluffs Young Athletes Play Day