Over 1,000 Athletes of All Abilities to Compete in Special Olympics' Fall Sports Festival, September 1

Athletes from across the state will compete in the 2015 Special Olympics Connecticut Fall Sports Festival, presented by Mohegan Sun, on Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th. More than 1,000 are expected to participate, proving that athletes of all abilities possess the determination, drive and talent to make great achievements in sports. In addition, over 400 volunteers and 350 coaches are expected to participate and lend their support. The public is invited to attend at no cost to cheer on the athletes and witness inspiring athletic accomplishments and great displays of sportsmanship and teamwork. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, visit www.soct.org, email specialolympicsct@soct.org or call 203-230-1201. And, follow Special Olympics Connecticut on Facebook, @soctconnecticut on Twitter and @specialolympicsct on Instagram.
Events will include:

· Softball at Connecticut Sportsplex, 150 Foxon Road, North Branford and Kennedy Memorial Field, 51 Maple Street, East Haven

· Bocce at Savin Rock, 200 Oak Street, West Haven

· Sailing at The Wadawanuck Club, 196 Water Street, Stonington

· Golf (Sunday only) at Sleeping Giant Golf Course, 3931 Whitney Avenue, Hamden

· Croquet competition will be held the weekend of September 19th and 20th at The Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island

The Fall Sports Festival will kick-off with an opening ceremony at each venue that will include the ceremonial lighting of the Special Olympics torch with the “Flame of Hope”, declaration of the Special Olympics Athlete Oath, introduction of teams and sponsors and welcome.

In addition to Mohegan Sun, sponsors include A.H. Gildersleeve, J. Michael Leahy and Sentinel are gold level sponsors. Bic – which is celebrating its 20th year supporting this event - and Special Angels are Bronze Sponsors and Darien Sports Shop, Dime Bank Foundation and Dominion Foundation are Supporting Sponsors. The New Haven Register, iHeart Radio Connecticut and NBC Connecticut are media sponsors.

About Special Olympics Connecticut

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 13,000 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 170 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 Hubbell Foundation, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, United Technologies and WWE.

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