NOVEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER

We're on a Roll, Let's Bowl

More than 2,800 athletes participated in Area Bowling competitions that were held across the state throughout the month of October. Those who qualified for the State Bowling Competitions will be competing on November 17-18 at one of the four locations: Omaha (Maplewood Lanes), Des Moines (Bowlerama Lanes), Waterloo (Maple Lanes), or Cedar Rapids (Cedar Rapids Bowling). Congratulations to all who competed at the area events and best of luck to those competing at State Bowling!

AREA BOWLING RESULTS

Volunteers are needed in all four State Bowling locations on November 17-18. Click the button below to sign up!

VOLUNTEER AT A BOWLING COMPETITION NEAR YOU

Sports Clinics

CAM High School Basketball Clinic

Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in shooting, dribbling, passing, and rebounding drill stations, and finish the day with a Unified basketball game! Dance and cheer athletes are also welcome to register and learn cheer and dance skills from CAM High School students!

Date: Tuesday, November 28th

Time: Check-in at 9:30am, Clinic begins at 10:00am

Location: CAM High School (1000 Victory Park Rd, Anita, IA 50020)

BASKETBALL CLINIC REGISTRATION

NAIA Unified Volleyball Clinic

Athletes are invited to play and learn alongside collegiate volleyball players in the NAIA tournament! This opportunity encourages new experiences, friendships, and skill development. Athletes do not need to compete in volleyball to attend. Registration is due by Friday, November 17th.

Date: Tuesday, November 28th

Time: Check-in at 9:00am, Clinic begins at 9:30am

Location: Tyson Events Center (401 Gordon Dr, Sioux City, IA 51101)

VOLLEYBALL CLINIC REGISTRATION

Unified Champion Schools

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® bring together students with and without intellectual disabilities through education, sports and youth leadership to provide them with the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to create and sustain school communities that promote acceptance and respect. Special Olympics Iowa partners with pre-schools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and colleges to implement or continue three main components of the Unified Champion Schools model.

Interested in becoming a Unified Champion School?

LEARN MORE

Athlete Leadership Conference

The Athlete Leadership Conference is back! It will take place December 15th-17th, 2023 at the Marriott Des Moines Downtown. Sessions will focus on athlete leadership roles in your own delegation, area and state competitions, in the community and more. Keep an eye out for the email registration. If you are an athlete interested in becoming a Global Messenger, this conference is a great introduction. For more information, please contact Krista Smith.

Winter Games

Join us in Dubuque for the Winter Games on January 8 and 9! The Games will feature athletes competing in snowshoeing, skiing, cornhole, and ice skating events. Snowshoeing events will take place at Camp Albrecht Acres, and the skiing events will be at Sundown Mountain. Figure skating and speed skating competitions will be held at the ImON Ice Arena, and cornhole will be held at the Grand River Center.

FUNDRAISING CENTRAL

Fall Polar Plunges

Be bold, get cold! There's still opportunities to join us at one of our upcoming fall Polar Plunges and support Special Olympics athletes while jumping into frigid waters. You can take the plunge solo or with coworkers, friends, or family members.

Fall 2023 Polar Plunges

November 11- Dubuque

December 2- West Des Moines

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Tailgate for Teammates Recap

The annual Tailgate for Teammates event took place on Saturday, October 28th at the Sheraton West Des Moines. This event offered a sense of camaraderie, inclusion and pride among athletes and their supporters. The evening included upscale tailgate cuisine, fun and festive sports-themed activities, and a silent auction. A total of over $55,000 was raised for Special Olympics Iowa! Thank you to those who donated to and supported this year's Tailgate.

Law Enforcement Torch Run Shirts

Each year, law enforcement officers through the state buy and sell t-shirts, polos, and hats to raise money for Special Olympics Iowa athletes and Unified partners and show their support for the Law Enforcement Torch Run. If you have not yet purchased your 2023 LETR supporter apparel, you can still do so until the end of the year.

This year's LETR t-shirts are black, come in short sleeve cotton, long sleeve cotton, or short sleeve dri-fit options, and are available in adult sizes small to 4XL*.

*Some sizes subject to availability.

PURCHASE APPAREL