September 2022 Newsletter
State Softball was a Home Run
On August 6th, more than 240 athletes and Unified partners gathered in Ankeny to compete in softball skills and team softball. The tournament had over 30 athletes compete in the skills competition and 22 teams compete in the softball tournament.
Thank you to the athletes, coaches, volunteers, families, and spectators who attended this successful event. A special thank you to Sammons Financial for sponsoring the event. 
Special Olympics Iowa and Cargill Night at the Ballpark
Join us 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 (SOIA athletes will be recognized on the field at 6:00pm, game time is 6:35pm)
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.)
Five Opportunities to Play Unified Golf
Fall is a busy time for Unified Golf with five Unified Golf Tour stops. The tour pairs individuals with intellectual disabilities with Unified partners, golfers without intellectual disabilities, to compete in a team environment. The Unified Golf Tour offers several skill levels to meet the skill level of all athletes.

Upcoming Unified Golf Tour Stops
Muscatine (Muscatine Municipal Golf Course)
Date: September 7, 2022

Davenport (Red Hawk Golf Course)
Date: September 8, 2022

Cedar Rapids (Twin Pines Golf Course)
Date: September 10, 2022

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

Sioux City (Sun Valley Golf Course)
Date: October 1, 2022
See You at Principal Park
Join us for a fun afternoon at Principal Park cheering on the Iowa Cubs as they take on the Memphis Redbirds!

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
Who's Ready for Some Flag Football?
The Special Olympics Iowa State Flag Football Tournament gives athletes of all ability levels the opportunity to play America’s game. The team flag football tournament features 5-on-5 non-contact play and the individual flag football skills competition will feature catching, throwing, running, and flag pulling events.

Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 24
Location: Metro Youth Football Association Fields
(1100 A'hearn Drive NE, Cedar Rapids)
Let's Go Bowling!
Starting October 1st, bowling competitions will be happening across the state in each area. Special Olympics Iowa athletes may participate in one of the following events: singles (ramp bowling is available), doubles, team (four-person), Unified doubles and Unified teams. Dates and registration deadlines vary so be sure to check out your area’s page. 
Run the Principal 5K Road Race as a Unified Pair
Lace up your running shoes! The IMT Des Moines Marathon is partnering with Special Olympics Iowa for a Unified opportunity to run in the Principal 5k Road Race on October 16th. There is still time to sign up to join in on the running fun!
State Volleyball is October 22
The Special Olympics Iowa State Volleyball Tournament is right around the corner. Join us in Ames on October 22nd for an exciting day of volleyball. Both traditional and Unified teams are welcomed to participate. The deadline for registration is Friday September 30th. 


Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 22
Location: Iowa State University Forker Building
(534 Wallace Rd, Ames, IA 50011)
Fundraising Central
Honk Honk! The Truck Convoy is October 1st!
The Truck Convoy for Special Olympics is an annual celebration of the trucking industry, allied partners, and law enforcement all working together to help raise money for Special Olympics Iowa programming. All trucks 10,000lb GVW or larger are welcome to be part of the Convoy.

Iowa’s law enforcement officers will escort the Convoy from Veterans Parkway (exit 101 off Highway 5) 20 miles to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Special Olympics Iowa athletes and families, community organizations, companies, law enforcement agencies, and supporters are all invited to hold signs, cheer, and welcome the truckers as they enter the fairgrounds for lunch and a celebration with awards. The Convoy will arrive at the fairgrounds at approximately 11:15am.

Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 1
Location: Begins at the intersection of Highway 5 & Veterans Parkway (exit #101) in West Des Moines; ends at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
Tailgate for Teammates
Leave the station wagon in the parking lot: the party is indoors, so we’ll be celebrating rain or shine. Put on your game face and get ready to cheer because this is one rally where we are all on the same team and EVERYONE’S A WINNER!

Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 15 (6:00 pm - 9:00 pm)
Location: West Des Moines Marriott
(1250 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines)
Register for a Fall Polar Plunge
Let's freeze! Whether you plunge solo or with coworkers, friends or family, you're invited to come "chill" with us at one of our upcoming fall Polar Plunges!


2022 Fall Polar Plunge Dates

Davenport - October 8
Siouxland - October 15
Fort Dodge - November 13
Dubuque - November 19
West Des Moines - December 3
Cop on a Rooftop was a Slam Dunk(in)'
On August 19th, Special Olympics Iowa athletes, coaches, and staff and officers from 35 law enforcement agencies collected donations at 21 statewide Dunkin' locations for the annual Dunkin' Cop on a Rooftop campaign.
Through their diligent efforts, more than $38,000 was collected for SOIA athletes and programs!
Chipping in for Special Olympics
In August, Special Olympics Iowa held three golf tournaments that raised more than $18,000 collectively. Thank you to all the tournament participants and sponsors of the Jim Jordan Memorial Golf Classic, LETR Golf Tournament, and Rich Fellingham Memorial Golf Classic for your support.
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

September
7 - Muscatine Unified Golf
8 - Davenport Unified Golf
10 - Cedar Rapids Unified Golf
10 - Equestrian State Competition
10 - Cargill Night at the Ballpark
24 - Flag Football State Tournament
24 - Granger Unified Golf

October
1 - Truck Convoy
1 - East Central Area Bowling (Adult)
1 - Sioux City Unified Golf
4 - Southwest Area Bowling (Youth)
6 - East Area Bowling (Youth)
7 - South Central Area Bowling (Youth)
7 - Northwest Area Bowling (Youth)
8 - Davenport Polar Plunge
8 - South Central Area Bowling (Adult)
8 - Northwest Area Bowling (Adult)
11 - Southwest Area Bowling (Adult)
12 - North Area Bowling
13 - North Central Area Bowling
14 - Central Area Bowling
15 - Siouxland Polar Plunge
15 - Tailgate for Teammates
15 - Southeast Area Bowling (Adult)
16 - Northeast Area Bowling
17 - West Central Area Bowling
18 - Southeast Area Bowling (Youth)
18 - West Central Area Bowling (Youth)
19 - West Central Area Bowling (Adult)
20 - West Central Area Bowling
22 - Volleyball State Competition

November
13 - Fort Dodge Polar Plunge
19 - Dubuque Polar Plunge
19 - Bowling State Competition


Upcoming State Competition Dates
Equestrian State 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!