Schools

Special Olympics Celebrates 50th Anniversary At Jesuit High School

Jesuit High School in Tampa hosted the first-ever Special Olympics event 50 years ago.

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Led by Grand Marshal Titus O’Neil, global ambassador of the WWE, Jesuit’s Corral Memorial Stadium and other locations on campus, along with nearby Hillsborough Community College (volleyball), hosted the athletic competition featuring 500 Special Olympics. (Jesuit High School)
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Titus O’Neil, global ambassador of the WWE, was the grand marshal for the event. (Jesuit High School)
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Former Jesuit teacher and coach Dan Bonilla was recognized at the 50th anniversary Special Olympics at Jesuit on March 26. Bonilla played a major role in the first Special Olympics in Florida, which took place at Jesuit in 1972. (Jesuit High School )
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On Saturday, March 26, hundreds of athletes and volunteers were on hand at Jesuit for the 50th anniversary event, as the Dads’ Club once again hosted the annual Hillsborough and Pinellas Special Olympics. (Jesuit High School)
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The event included the traditional passing of the Olympic torch. (Jesuit High School)
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Kevin Murray of the class of 1971, whose brother, Ruri, lit the torch along with Eunice Kennedy Shriver at the first Special Olympics in Florida in 1972 at Jesuit High School, was recognized. Ruri Murray, who died in 2016, competed in those first games. (Jesuit High School)
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Each year, dozens of people volunteer to help out at the Hillsborough County Special Olympics. (Jesuit High School)
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More than 500 athletes from throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties participate in the Special Olympics. (Jesuit High School)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22976176/20220331/124445/styles/patch_image/public/special6___31123250099.jpg
More than 500 athletes from throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties participate in the Special Olympics. (Jesuit High School)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22976176/20220331/124445/styles/patch_image/public/special12___31123348493.jpg
More than 500 athletes from throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties participate in the Special Olympics. (Jesuit High School)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22976176/20220331/124445/styles/patch_image/public/special9___31123423946.jpg
More than 500 athletes from throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties participate in the Special Olympics. (Jesuit High School)

TAMPA, FL — In 1972, Jesuit High School and the Jesuit Dads’ Club hosted the first-ever Special Olympics competition in Florida.

On Saturday, March 26, hundreds of athletes and volunteers were on hand at Jesuit for the 50th anniversary event, as the Dads’ Club once again hosted the annual Hillsborough & Pinellas Special Olympics.

Led by Grand Marshal Titus O’Neil, global ambassador of the WWE, Jesuit’s Corral Memorial Stadium and other locations on campus, along with nearby Hillsborough Community College (volleyball), hosted the athletic competition featuring 500 Special Olympics athletes.

Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Former Jesuit teacher and coach Dan Bonilla was one of several organizers of that first Special
Olympics 50 years ago. He was on hand Saturday as the athletes competed in cycling, track and
field, bocce, cheerleading, soccer and volleyball.

The ceremonies included a Tampa Police Department flyover, and the Olympic Village featured a dunk tank, dance floor and interactive games.

Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The school ramped up for the Special Olympics last week when Special Olympics athlete and Global Ambassador Thomas Shervington spoke to the Jesuit student body about the extraordinary impact the Special Olympics has made on his life.

For decades, the Dads' Club and Jesuit students have been a driving force in the success of the Special Olympics in Tampa, working year-round with Special Olympics Florida and Hillsborough County to stage this major event.

Jesuit’s connection to the Special Olympics dates back to its origins in Florida, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Gov. Reubin Askew and Tampa Mayor Dick Greco came to Jesuit to light the Olympic Torch as the school hosted Florida’s first Special Olympics competition.

Jesuit High School

Founded in the 1960s, Special Olympics Inc. is the world’s largest provider of fitness training,
education and athletic competition — coupled with social, life and leadership skill development
opportunities — for children and adults with intellectual disabilities or similar disabilities.

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