UPDATE (10/16): The outdoor activities — including bocce, golf, and softball — have been canceled due to field conditions and safety concerns. The aquatics competition will take place as planned, but Healthy Athletes and Athlete Village are also canceled. Thursday’s registration has been moved to the Courtyard Marriott at 3939 State Highway 6 South from 4-7 p.m. Friday’s opening ceremonies and celebration dance will be from 7-9 p.m. at the Brazos Center at 3232 Briarcrest Drive in Bryan.
By Samantha Perez, Parks & Recreation Event Specialist
I miss two things from grade school – sports and Best Buddies. I met some close friends through sports, but I made one of my best friends through Best Buddies.
Best Buddies is a volunteer organization that creates employment, leadership skills, and other opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Special Olympics Texas is also dear to me. My passion for encouraging and empowering individuals with IDD led me to join Aggie Special Olympics Texas Volunteers while attending Texas A&M. Special Olympics Texas continues to provide annual opportunities for those with IDD to experience joy, physical fitness, and friendship through friendly competition.
The City of College Station will host the Special Olympics Fall Classic Thursday through Sunday at venues across our community. Athletes from across the state will travel to College Station to compete in bocce, golf, softball, and aquatics. We’ve hosted the event since 2012.
You are invited to support Special Olympics Texas and celebrate a night of inclusive fun at Friday’s opening ceremonies. The event is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. at Veterans Park & Athletic Complex, but the location could change depending on the weather.
Check sotx.org for updates or text “fallclassic” to 888777 for weather alerts and relevant news.
For more information or to volunteer for the event, go to sotx.org. If you are interested in hosting a carnival booth or providing a fun activity for the athletes, contact Molly Kuchar at mkuchar@sotx.org.
About the Blogger
Parks & Recreation Events Specialist Samantha Perez is in her second year with the City of College Station. She previously worked for the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and the Texas A&M Athletics Department. A native of Houston, she earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Texas A&M in 2016.
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