News

May 29 – May 31, 2025

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character program and the Ann Arbor Sports Commission is proud to announce an exciting partnership with Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) to host an inclusive cheerleading and dance clinic. This event aims to promote athletic skills, teamwork, and the spirit of inclusion by bringing together NAIA student-athletes and SOMI participants for a day of learning, collaboration, and fun.

For many SOMI athletes, the clinic will offer an introduction to both the sports of cheerleading and dance. The opportunity to partner with athletes at the college level, offers an intimate and relatable look at the sport, while in turn offering collegiate athletes a glimpse into the world of Unified Sports – which features athletes with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) participating on the same team.

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.

pecial Olympics Michigan (SOMI) is thrilled to announce that long-time poly hockey athlete, Scott Decker, has been selected to serve as an assistant coach for The Original Six Matchup featuring a number of Detroit Red Wings legends and NHL Hall of Fame inductees. This honor recognizes Decker’s dedication to the sport, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to Special Olympics athletes.

A decorated poly hockey player from Grosse Pointe Woods, 38-year-old Decker has been an integral part of SOMI for nearly a decade, earning two state championships in 2023 and 2024 for the sport. Decker is best known amongst players and coaches for his pre-game motivational speeches, inspiring teams to push themselves out of their comfort zones in pursuit of victory. In addition to poly hockey, Decker participates in basketball, bowling, and track and field.

MILAN, Italy  –  Nearly 150 Special Olympics USA delegates, including four Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) athletes and one coach, will arrive in Italy on Friday, March 7 to compete internationally at the Special Olympics World Games Turin 2025

Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) is thrilled to announce the 2025 State Winter Games, to be held February 5–7 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. This exciting event will bring together more 1,000 participants, including 721 athletes, 177 coaches, 15 Unified partners, and 221 chaperones, to compete in five winter sports.

Participating Tim Hortons U.S. restaurants in Michigan will serve Special Olympics Donuts from Jan. 31 – Feb. 2 with 100% of profits donated to support Special Olympics athletes.

The Tims Special Olympics Donut is a delicious chocolate cake donut dipped in vanilla-flavored icing, topped with rainbow sprinkles and a dollop of whipped topping in the middle. It will be sold at participating Tims restaurants in Michigan, plus in New York State, and Ohio from Jan. 31 – Feb. 2.

Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) is excited to announce the kickoff of the 2025 Polar Plunge season, presented by the Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). This year’s Plunge season promises to be more exhilarating than ever as brave participants make a splash to support athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) across the state.

Jacob Nelson, a 19-year-old athlete from Chelsea, Michigan, is proving that there's no limit to what Special Olympics athletes can achieve. After years of excelling in sports like bocce and snowshoeing, Jacob has taken on a new role in the sports community—one that allows him to stay close to the action while giving back in a different way: by becoming a referee.

Following a successful inaugural year in 2023, Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) is excited to announce the return of the November Classic, set to take place in the Metro-Detroit area on November 8, 2024. The event will feature state-level competition for more than 1,100 athletes and Unified partners from across Michigan.

Get ready, Michigan! The 2025 Polar Plunge season is officially here, and we couldn’t be more excited! The 2024 Polar Plunge season raised nearly $2 million for Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) athletes, providing year-round sports competition at the state and regional level at no cost. With the new year just a few months away, SOMI is thrilled to announce this year’s lineup of Polar Plunges that promise to make a splash for a great cause.

In a groundbreaking move, Northville has become one of the first school districts in the state to adopt a district-wide inclusion policy in partnership with Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI). This initiative not only reflects Northville's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, but also sets a precedent for other districts across the state.

"It feels incredible…yet so needed,” said Kelsey Mikiciuk, Northville High School Special Education Teacher. “Can you imagine a world where [inclusion] was just common practice in all schools? I feel like in Northville we are on the verge of it truly being best practice."