This June, Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) is excited to celebrate one of the biggest events of the year - the 2022 State Summer Games - featuring in-person competition on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. As the first major return since the 2019 State Summer Games, SOMI is excited to announce a large-scale event for our athletes and community members.
Save the date for June 2 and June 3. Traditional competition is planned based on athlete participation numbers reported to the State office from the Area Directors. The sports competitions offered this year include*:
- Athletics
- Bocce
- Bowling
- Horseshoes
- Swimming
- Volleyball
*Sports offered may change based on participation numbers
With the safety of all in mind, SOMI has a few COVID precautions to protect our athletes and guests:
- The CMU residence halls will be open this year. All participants (coach/athlete/chaperone) must be screened for COVID-19 prior to an overnight. This means being fully vaccinated or showing proof of a negative test within 72 hours of stay.
- Masks must be worn indoors with the exclusion of competition and/or eating. Masks may be removed when in the privacy of their residence hall room.
SOMI is in need of volunteers and coaches!
As SOMI navigates more in-person competitions, the need for additional coaches and volunteers has never been greater! Please consider volunteering your time to help us spread the word and help our SOMI family grow. Learn more: https://www.somi.org/volunteer
WHY COACH?
Hear from those that come back year after year, paving the way in the Inclusion Revolution.
Allison Wonch was just awarded Special Olympics North America’s (SONA) Outstanding Coach Award. “There is so much joy associated with coaching,” she said. “I have found that during my time as a coach, it feels like everything is right in sports. You get to help support athletes as they work to achieve individual and team goals. The community, the inclusion, the belonging that occurs in Special Olympics is so wonderful. When you get yourself involved in it, you want to stay involved.”
Read Allison’s story here.
Fifty years later, Coach Bill Dombroski has no intention of hanging up his whistle anytime soon. "It's not hard to keep going," Dombrowski said on his commitment to coaching. "I get to spend every day making a difference with my friends. I don’t remember the score of the games, I remember experiences. We have lost more games than we have won, we have come in last and first, but it will always be about life lessons.”
Read Bill’s story here.