Special Olympics to Host Unified Sports® Holiday Classic

Special Olympics Connecticut will continue the celebration of its 50th anniversary and host its Unified Sports® Holiday Classic, presented by the Connecticut Elks Association, on Saturday, November 17th and Sunday, November 18th. All are invited to come out and cheer on the participants of all ages and abilities from across the state who will compete in basketball, bowling, powerlifting and volleyball. There is no cost to attend and watch competition that will take place at all Holiday Classic venues. For more information, visit soct.org, call 203-230-1201 or email specialolympicsct@soct.org. And, follow Special Olympics Connecticut on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Sports, times and locations for the Unified Sports® Holiday Classic include:

• Basketball at Quinnipiac University, 275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden

Saturday - Competition, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Opening Ceremonies, 9:45 a.m.

Sunday – Competition and Awards, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Bowling at Bowlero, 1717 Boston Post Road, Milford and AMF Circle Lanes, 525 Main Street, East Haven

Saturday – Morning Session Opening Ceremonies, 9 a.m.; Competition and Awards, 9:15 a.m. to noon

Afternoon Session Opening Ceremonies, 1 p.m.; Competition and Awards, 1:15 to 4 p.m.

Sunday – Morning Session Opening Ceremonies, 9 a.m.; Competition and Awards, 9:15 a.m. to noon

Afternoon Session Opening Ceremonies, 1:15 p.m.; Competition and Awards, 1:15 to 4 p.m.

• Powerlifting at Gleason Performance Training, 38 Commerce Street, Derby

Sunday only – Opening Ceremonies, 10 a.m.; Competition and Awards, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Volleyball at Hamden Hall Country Day School Skiff Street Athletic Complex, 225 Skiff Street, Hamden

Saturday – Opening Ceremonies, 9 a.m.; Competition and Awards, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday – Opening Ceremonies, 9 a.m.; Competition and Awards, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will feature Special Olympics Unified Sports® which brings individuals with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team to inspire inclusion and friendship. More than 2,000 athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and Unified partners (their teammates without intellectual disabilities) who’ve completed a minimum of eight weeks practicing their respective sport are expected to participate.

Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program offerings for participants will include:

• Strong Minds at Volleyball - Hamden Hall Beckerman Athletic Center

Saturday, November 17th, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Strong Minds is an interactive learning activity focused on developing adaptive coping skills for maintaining emotional wellness under stress. Activities include thinking positive thoughts, releasing stress, and connecting with others.

• Special Smiles at Basketball - Quinnipiac University Recreation Center

Saturday and Sunday, November 17th and 18th, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Special Smiles provides oral health screenings and education. Custom mouth guards and oral health giveaways will also be handed out to athletes.

In addition to the Connecticut Elks Association, sponsors of the Unified Sports® Holiday Classic include Comcast and NBC Connecticut, Hamden Hall Country Day School and Quinnipiac University – Gold Sponsors; Feroleto Steel Company Inc., Halloran Sage, IBM, LAZ Parking Charitable Foundation and Webster Bank – Bronze Sponsors; Gleason Performance Training and Synchrony Financial – Supporting Sponsors, Bigelow Tea – a Contributing Sponsor and Hearst Connecticut Media Group, NBC Connecticut and iHeart Radio Connecticut – Media Sponsors.

About Special Olympics Connecticut

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 12,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities.

Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 172 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for all people, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)

Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Dream Ride, ESPN, Eversource Energy, The Golisano Foundation, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, United Technologies and WWE.

Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Campus Customs, The Coca-Cola Company, Connecticut Portable Storage/PODS, Crystal Rock Water and Coffee Company, Dunkin’ Donuts, Guida’s Milk and Ice Cream, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Marcus Communications, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and WORX.