August 2022 Newsletter
The State Softball Tournament Is Saturday
The Special Olympics Iowa State Softball Tournament presented by Sammons Financial Group is this Saturday at Prairie Ridge Sports Complex. The tournament will showcase the talents of 20 traditional teams, 3 Unified teams, and over 40 softball skills athletes. Join us at the ballpark for a fun day of softball!

Event Details
Date: Saturday, August 6
Location: Prairie Ridge Sports Complex
(1510 NW Ash Drive, Ankeny)
Run the Principal 5K Road Race as a Unified Partner
The IMT Des Moines Marathon is partnering with Special Olympics Iowa to provide a Unified opportunity to run in the Principal 5k Road Race. This is an opportunity for runners to partner with Special Olympic athletes for a running experience that won't soon be forgotten. Unified pairs will train together in 8 weeks leading up to the road race and show off their hard work on October 16 when they run the Principal 5K Road Race as a Unified pair. Thank you to our friends at Fleet Feet, we have opportunities for both community members and athletes to participate.
Calling All Equestrian Athletes
The Special Olympics Iowa State Equestrian Competition is scheduled for Saturday, September 10. The event will be held at the One Heart Equestrian Therapy facility in Ames. The competition will feature horsemanship, barrels, ball drop, baton relay, egg & spoon, key hole, and pole bending events. Athletes interested in competing must submit a registration form by August 19.

Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 10
Location: One Heart Equestrian Therapy
(2710 W 190th Street, Ames)

Special Olympics Iowa and Cargill Night at the Ballpark
Join for an exciting evening cheering the Cedar Rapids Kernels to victory over the South Bend Cubs. The evening will include Special Olympics Iowa athletes being recognized on the field, a silent auction during the game, and fireworks to end the evening. Reserve your discounted ticket(s) before they run out!

Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 10 (First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.)
Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium (950 Rockford Road SW, Cedar Rapids)
Ticket Price: SOIA athlete tickets are free & guest tickets are $10
(There is a limited number of tickets available.)
2022 Unified Golf Tour

The Unified Golf Tour is off to a great start! The tour pairs individuals with intellectual disabilities with Unified partners, golfers without intellectual disabilities, to compete in a team environment. The tour will stop at 8 locations across Iowa this summer and fall, offering several skill levels to meet the skill level of any athlete.



Upcoming Unified Golf Tour Stops
Spencer (Spencer Municipal Golf Course)
Date: August 7, 2022

Muscatine (Muscatine Municipal Golf Course
Date:  September 7, 2022

Cedar Rapids (Twin Pines Golf Course)
Date: September 9, 2022

Granger (Jester Park Golf Course)
Date: September 24, 2022

Davenport (Red Hawk Golf Course)
Date: September 8, 2022
See You At the Iowa Cubs Game
Join us at the ballpark on Sunday, September 18, for a fun afternoon of baseball at Principal Park. Coaches, athletes, Unified partners, family members, and friends of Special Olympics Iowa are all welcome to come cheer the Iowa Cubs to victory over the Memphis Redbirds. After the game kids will have the opportunity to run the bases.

Event Details
Date: Sunday, September 18 (First pitch is scheduled for 1:08 p.m.)
Location: Principal Park (1 Line Drive, Des Moines)
Ticket Price: $8.00
Flag Football Season Is Right Around the Corner
Punt, pass and kick…the Special Olympics Iowa State Flag Football Tournament gives athletes of all ability levels the chance to play America’s game. The flag football tournament features both a 5-on-5 non-contact team tournament and a flag football skills competition. The tournament will take place at Metro Youth Football Association Fields in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, September 24.

Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 24
Location: Metro Youth Football Association Fields
(1100 A'Hearn Drive NE, Cedar Rapids)

Fundraising Central
7th Annual Dunkin' Cop on a Rooftop Fundraiser
Stop by one of the 7th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Dunkin’ Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser participating locations for your morning coffee or breakfast and visit with local Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers. Leave a donation and receive a coupon for a free donut. Guests who donate $10 or more will get a coupon for a free hot coffee, and those who donate $20 or more will receive a Special Olympics Iowa tumbler.


Event Details
Date: Friday, August 19th
Time: 5:00am - 12:00pm
Buy Your Pigskin Madness Tickets
The annual Pigskin Madness fundraiser combines NFL football and raising money for Special Olympics Iowa! For just $25, you have 72 chances to win during the 18-week regular NFL football season.
 
Each week the highest scoring ticket will win $125, with other payouts going to the second highest, third highest, and lowest scoring tickets.
The Annual Truck Convoy Is Scheduled for October 1

The Truck Convoy for Special Olympics is a one-day celebration of the trucking industry, allied partners, and law enforcement all working together to help raise money for Special Olympics Iowa programming. All trucks 10,000 lb GVW or larger are welcome to be part of the Convoy.


Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 1
Location: Begins at Veterans Parkway (exit #101); ends at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
Fall Polar Plunge Season Is Fast Approaching
Join us at one of our upcoming fall Polar Plunges for a unique opportunity to support Special Olympics athletes while jumping into frigid waters. You can take the plunge solo or with coworkers, friends, or family members.

2022 Fall Polar Plunge Dates

Davenport - October 8
Siouxland - October 15
Fort Dodge - November 13
Dubuque - November 19
West Des Moines - December 3
Coaches Corner
Registration Forms Available Online
Registration forms for one-day programs and sports competitions are available online! Go to the Participation Forms page on our website to view registration forms for upcoming SOIA events.
Event Calendar

August
6 - State Softball Skills and Team Softball Tournament
7 - Spencer Unified Golf
10 - Jim Jordan Memorial Golf Classic
15 - 12th Annual LETR Golf Tournament
18 - Rich Fellingham Memorial Golf Classic
19 - Dunkin' Cop on a Rooftop Fundraiser
27 - USTA All Stars Tennis Event

September
7 - Muscatine Unified Golf
8 - Davenport Unified Golf
9 - Cedar Rapids Unified Golf
10 - State Equestrian Competition
24 - Flag Football State Tournament
24 - Granger Unified Golf

Upcoming State Competition Dates
Softball State Tournament - August 6
Equestrian Competition - September 10
Flag Football State Tournament - September 24
Volleyball State Tournament - October 22
Bowling State Competition - November 19

Visit our online calendar for event details!