State Softball presented by
Sammons Financial Group
The Special Olympics Iowa State Softball Tournament sponsored by Sammons Financial Group took place on Saturday, August 4th at Prairie Ridge Sports Complex in Ankeny. 21 traditional teams, 5 Unified teams, and 44 softball skills athletes competed this year.

Sammons Financial Group (SFG) is a big supporter of the Annual State Softball tournament. "State Softball is one of SFG's favorite Special Olympic events to sponsor. The athletes, coaches, and fans always demonstrate such great sportsmanship at this event. Our SFG team members volunteer year after year because it is such a rewarding experience. The competition is fierce!" said Mary Buscher, HR Consultant of SFG. "We are especially proud of two of our SFG employees, Rick King and Mary Kroger, who have volunteered their time as Link Softball Coaches."

Athletes play slow-pitch softball, which involves two teams of 10 athletes each. Softball can also be played as a Unified Sport, joining athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. Individual skills competition is also offered to allow athletes to train and compete in basic softball skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to team competition. These skills include base running, batting, fielding and throwing.

Click here to see the results from this year's competition.
Celebrating 50 years with Casey's -
Annual Casey's Campaign
During the month of June, Casey's General Store sold $1 pin-ups in-store and featured Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement volunteers on their 44 oz. cups. We had such a great time celebrating the campaign that took place throughout 16 states!

Overall, with a donation from Coca-Cola , a grand total of $848,594.07 was raised. Thank you to all who supported and donated, and thank you to Casey's General Store. What a great way to celebrate both of our 50th anniversaries!
Over the Edge presented by
Sammons Financial Group
Our Annual Over the Edge event presented by Sammons Financial Group will take place on Tuesday, September 11th from 2-8 p.m. at the Financial Center in downtown Des Moines. Participants will have the chance to face their fears and rappel the 345 foot building to help raise money for Special Olympics.

Participant cost is a minimum of $1,000 per person. There is still time to register yourself or toss your boss! Sign up at the link below today.
Tailgate for Teammates
Event Details
Date : October 6, 2018
Location : West Des Moines Sheraton
Time : 6-9 p.m.

Nothing brings fans together like a good old-fashioned tailgate! Tailgate for Teammates will offer a sense of camaraderie, inclusion and pride among athletes and their supporters. Guests will indulge in upscale tailgate cuisine, take part in fun and festive sports-themed activities, bid for prizes in an auction, and cheer for athletes competing in upcoming Special Olympics Iowa events.
To Purchase Tickets click here.

For more information please contact Stuart Steffy .
Truck Convoy
The Truck Convoy for Special Olympics is a national one-day celebration of the trucking industry, allied partners and law enforcement all working together to help raise money for
Special Olympics Iowa.

Iowa’s law enforcement officers escort the Convoy from Veterans Parkway (exit 101 off Highway 5) and travel 20 miles to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Special Olympics Iowa athletes and families, community organizations, companies and law enforcement agencies welcome the truckers as they enter the fairgrounds for lunch and a celebration with awards to recognize participating truckers for the support they give to Special Olympics.

Date: Saturday, October 6, 2018
Location: Veterans Parkway to Iowa State Fairgrounds (celebration at Jalapeno Pete's) - Des Moines
Cost: $100 per participant
Registration: Click here to download our brochure and register
Truck Raffle
Buy a $5 Ticket for Your Chance to Win This 2018 Ford F-150!
 
Purchase Tickets From Any Special Olympics Iowa Delegation
-Or-
From the State Office
Give Us A Call At 515-986-5520 or email  [email protected] .

RECONCILIATION FORMS:
Athlete Leadership Conference
The Athlete Leadership Conference will be held November 9-10 2018 at Easter Seals Camp Sunnyside. This conference will be for all current Global Messengers and their speech coaches as well as 10 new Global Messengers and speech coaches. Athletes will be training in speech writing, athlete leadership and fundraising. Applications and information have been sent out to all current Global Messengers and speech coaches. If any coach feels they have an athlete that would make a great Global Messenger, they should submit an application. 10 athletes will be selected for this role. Athletes must compete in at least 2 sports throughout the year and have a person who can attend with them as their speech coach in order to be qualified for the conference.

Qualifications for a speech coach include but are not limited to being able to attend the yearly conferences with the athlete, assist the athlete in writing speeches for various events, transporting the athlete if needed to the conference or various events. A speech coach can be a parent, friend, older sibling, neighbor, coach, etc. Please complete the appropriate applications by October 24, 2018 to ensure a spot at the conference.  All meals and lodging will be covered by Special Olympics Iowa during the conference. For more information, please contact Wendy Olinger at Special Olympics Iowa.

Dunkin' Donuts Cop on a Rooftop
Join us for our Annual Dunkin' Donuts #coponarooftop event from 6-11 a.m. on Friday, September 7th at participating locations. Donate to Special Olympics and receive a coupon for a free medium iced or hot coffee. See below for a list of participating locations!
State Equestrian
The 2018 Special Olympics Iowa Equestrian Competition will be held on September 15th at the Jester Park Equestrian Center in Polk County. Nearly 30 athletes will compete in the one day competition.

Athletes may compete in one or two individual events including horsemanship, egg and spoon, barrel racing, ball drop, key hole race, pole bending and baton relay. 

Over 30 volunteers from the Jester Park Equestrian Center, the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the community will assist with the competition. Volunteer positions include judging, announcing, gatekeeping, staging, timing, award presentation and serving as a Ringmaster.

The community is welcome to attend this truly amazing and beautiful competition where Special Olympics athletes and their horses compete together.

Click here to register to volunteer. (Please note that you must have experience with horses).
Glenwood Challenge Day
The Glenwood Challenge Day was hosted on August 2 nd at the Glenwood Resource Center. This is the first time this event was held at this location and it was a success. 54 athletes from the Glenwood Resource Center participated in 11 different sports throughout the day. Officers from Council Bluffs Police Department, Glenwood and Mills County were present to assist with opening ceremonies and the awards ceremony. All of the athletes and volunteers had a wonderful time. For many of the staff, this was their first opportunity to watch athletes compete in the sports offered at a Challenge Day.
First Annual ButterBurgers and Badges event


30 Culver's throughout the state of Iowa participated in the First Annual ButterBurgers and Badges event on Thursday, August 2nd from 4-8 p.m.Local law enforcement helped to serve customers and collected tips and donations for Special Olympics. Athletes were also present at locations, thanking customers for their support. $1 from each concrete mixer sold that day was also donated back to Special Olympics. A total of over $16,000 was raised.
50 For 50 Years
2018 marks 50 years for the Special Olympics. That means 50 years of our volunteers, staff, and supporters working tirelessly to achieve our mission – a world without discrimination. A world where individuals with intellectual disabilities can tap their untold potential and live their lives to the fullest.

Special Olympics Iowa asks you to join us in celebrating 50 years of bliss, bravery and empowerment by donating in our  $50 for 50 campaign  in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Special Olympics. With each $50 donation, donors will get their choice of a limited-edition commemorative 50th Anniversary Gold Pin or Gold Coin.

Special Olympics Iowa is so proud of what has been accomplished over the past 50 years. With 5 million served in over 172 countries, we have changed many lives all over the world. Help us continue to make a difference in athlete’s lives.
Pigskin Madness tickets for Sale!

Help us sell Pigskin Madness tickets or purchase yours today! For just $20, you have 8 chances to win each week of the NFL regular football season (17 weeks).

*Please note the deadline to be eligible for week one prizes was Friday, August 31st, individuals are still able to purchase partial tickets. Click here for more information.

Purchase your ticket today, or help us sell books by clicking on this link.
Karaoke Night
*monthly karaoke night at Jeannie's Bottle will not be taking place this month due to Over the Edge, but will return in October
Discounted Iowa Tickets for SOIA Athletes
The Iowa Hawkeyes invite all Special Olympics Iowa athletes and their families to enjoy the excitement of Iowa Hawkeye football this fall. Take advantage of discounted group rates to five home games. Youth tickets are only $25 for high school ages and younger. Adult ticket prices vary for each game. 

Game Options:
September 1 – Iowa vs Northern Illinois, Time: TBA. Regular ticket price $50.
Adult Tickets: $35. Youth Tickets: $25.
September 15 – Iowa vs. UNI, Time: TBA. Regular ticket price: $50
Adult Tickets: $35. Youth Tickets: $25.
October 20 – Iowa vs Maryland. Time: TBA. Regular ticket price: $65
Adult Tickets: $55. Youth Tickets: $25.
November 10 – Iowa vs Northwestern. Time: TBA. Regular ticket price: $65
Adult Tickets: $55. Youth Tickets: $25.
November 23 – Iowa vs Nebraska. Time: TBA. Regular ticket price: $75
Adult Tickets: $60. Youth Tickets: $25.

Orders will be seated together. Orders are filled on a first come, first serve basis. Game may be subject to sellout. Tickets are mailed 2-4 weeks prior to each game. For questions or to order by phone, contact Bravo Sports at 319-626-8286.
Jim Jordan Memorial Golf Classic Recap

The Kiwanis Club of Urbandale hosted the Jim Jordan Memorial Golf Classic on Wednesday, August 15th at Otter Creek Golf Course. Over 80 golfers participated and enjoyed a day of golf, lunch and prizes. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus, The Underground Company and all of the sponsors and golfers who raised nearly $12,000 for Special Olympics Iowa athletes and Unified Partners!
Congratulations to The Village Community
Special Olympics Iowa would like to congratulate The Village Community in Iowa City. They were recently awarded a "Three Year with Excellence" certification (the highest possible) from the Department of Human Services for the Day Habilitation and Supported Community Living programs.

They are a very active delegation with Special Olympics, competing in various sports throughout the year, and often have Unified Doubles or Teams with their staff serving as partners. The Village Community said, "We gratefully attribute this success to our dedicated founders, fantastic staff and the wonderful support of our members, their families, and the broader community."
Coaches Corner 
Coaches' Guide Available Online!
The 2017-2018 SOIA Coaches' Guide is now available on our website !

Trainings 
Getting involved as a coach and re-certification is now easier than ever!
 
Check out our new "Become a Coach" page:
 
You can now become certified/re-certified ONLINE ! 

Registration Forms Available Online
Registration forms for Challenge Days and Young Athlete Play Days are now available online! Go to the Participation Forms page on our website to view registration forms for all SOIA events.

Share Your Story!
Do you know someone with a great story to share? We're always looking to share our athletes' stories in the newsletter. If you have a story idea for us about an athlete, coach, volunteer, or family please email Rachel Bosworth at [email protected] for a chance for them to be featured in the newsletter!
Event Calendar  

Visit our online calendar for event updates!

September
4- NW Area Fall Coaches Meeting
4- NE Fall Coaches Meeting
5- West Central Area Fall Coaches Meeting
6- East Central Area Fall Coaches Meeting
6- Southwest Area Fall Coaches Meeting
6- NC Fall Coaches Meeting
7- Central Fall Coaches Meeting
7- Dunkin' Donuts Cop on a Rooftop
8- Cedar Rapids Unified Golf
11- South Central Area Fall Coaches Meeting
12- Muscatine Unified Golf
13- Davenport Unified Golf
13- Davenport Unified Bocce
13- North Area Fall Coaches Meeting
15- State Equestrian Competition
21- Northeast Area Soccer Skills
24- SOIA/First Tee Unified Golf Tournament
26- River Hills Unified Golf Tournament
28- East Area Bowling
29- Jester Park Unified Golf
29- Back the Blue 5k Pump and Run
29- Cedar Rapids Bocce Coach & Athlete Training Clinic

October
2- SW Area Bowling (Ages 8-21)
3- East Area Bowling
5- SC Area Bowling (Ages 8-29)
6- State Volleyball Tournament
6- Sioux City Unified Golf Tournament
6- East Central Area Adult Bowling
6- Central Area Bowling
6- SC Bowling (Ages 30+)
6- NW Area Bowling
6- Tailgate for Teammates
6- Truck Convoy
7- NW Area Bowling
9- SW Area Bowling (Ages 22+)
11- Buena Vista University Unified Sports Day
11- North Central Area Bowling
11- Sioux City Young Athlete Play Day
12- NW Area Bowling
13- State Flag Football
13- NW Area Bowling
13- NW Area Bowling
13- NE Area Bowling
15- WC Area Bowling
16- EC Area Youth Bowling
17- North Area Bowling
18- WC Area Bowling
19- Dubuque Challenge Day
19- WC Area Bowling
20- Southeast Area Bowling
22- Southeast Area Bowling
26- River Hills Challenge Day
27- Sioux City Polar Plunge
27- Davenport Polar Plunge