The excitement is building as 85 teams from across Michigan prepare to compete for championship medals at the Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) State Basketball Finals. The tournament will take place on Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22, bringing together athletes from all over the state for two days of spirited competition.
This year’s event will feature Unified competition, where 38 teams—comprising athletes with and without intellectual disabilities (ID)—will showcase their skills alongside 13 women’s teams competing at Calvin University. Meanwhile, 34 men’s teams will take the court at the Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, where over 70 skills athletes will also participate, building confidence and learning basketball fundamentals.
"We couldn't be more excited to host the SOMI Michigan State Basketball Tournament in Grand Rapids,” said Nick Caudle, Senior Manager of Sports Training for Special Olympics Michigan. “This event brings together incredible athletes from across the state, showcasing their passion, teamwork, and determination on the court. It’s more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of inclusion, sportsmanship, and the power of the human spirit."
In addition to the tournament, SOMI will offer complimentary Healthy Athlete screenings to ensure the well-being of its competitors.
- Healthy Hearing screenings will be available on Friday and Saturday at Calvin University from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., providing full diagnostic hearing exams.
- FUNfitness screenings will take place on Saturday at the Unified Sports & Inclusion Center from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., evaluating athletes’ flexibility, strength, balance, and aerobic fitness.
For complete details, including competition brackets, event descriptions and partner information for the 2025 State Basketball Finals, click here. High-resolution photos of 2024 SOMI State Basketball Finals are available here.