Summer Games
Important 2019 Summer Games Scheduling Update:
Please note that there have been changes to the 2019 State Summer Games Schedule:
Special Olympics Illinois will have access to Normal West High School on Saturday, June 8th and Sunday, June 9th.
This will affect the sports of Rhythmic Gymnastics and Swimming. Athletes will compete in those sports on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday June, 9.
We are currently working on general start and finish times for each day as we will need to set up on Saturday morning as well.
Please see below under Supporting Documents for the memo including the tentative schedule.
What is Summer Games?
Summer Games is Special Olympics Illinois premiere sports competition with more than 4,000 athletes and Unified Partners competing in 6 different sports, along with 1,600 coaches, 2,000 volunteers and 3,300 family members. That totals almost 11,000 people who attend Summer Games annually! The Summer Games are held predominately at Illinois State University in Normal. A variety of activities are provided for the participants in addition to the sports competitions.
Venues
- Kingsley Jr. High
- Powerlifting
- ISU Intramural Fields
- Soccer
- Illinois State University
- Artistic Gymnastics (Horton Field House)
- Bocce (Soccer Stadium)
- Softball Throw (U-High Practice Field)
- Tennis Ball Throw & Mini Jav (Hancock Stadium)
- Track Events (ISU Track)
- Tournament Central (Horton Field House)
- Normal West High School
- Rhythmic Gymnastics
- Swimming
- Redbird Arena
- Healthy Athletes
- Health Pavilion
Competition
Competition will be offered in athletics, bocce, Unified bocce, gymnastics, football (soccer), powerlifting and swimming (aquatics). Athletes can not participate in more than one sport. Athletes registered in bocce may only compete in traditional bocce or Unified bocce (not both) and athletes registered for gymnastics may only compete in artistic or rhythmic (not both).
The public is invited and encouraged to attend any and all parts of Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games.
Volunteer
We have many volunteer opportunities available during Summer Games and need the help of over 2,000 volunteers to help make this event a success. We are using online registration to help streamline this process for everyone involved. The weekend is split into morning and afternoon shifts for both Friday and Saturday and morning shifts for Sunday. We also have volunteer opportunities available at the SOILL office Monday-Wednesday the week of Summer Games.
When volunteer registration is open just click on one of the buttons below for the day/time you are interested in. If you have used our online system before, you just need to sign in and select the job and shift you are interested in. If you have not used our system before, it will ask you to answer a few questions to create your profile before you can select your job and shift.
If you are interested in volunteering for multiple days/times you do not have to come back to this page or log out. Once you sign up for your first shift you should see a list of all our current volunteer opportunities on the SOILL Event Registration Page. You simply need to find the next day/time, select register and select your job and shift. If you have any questions, please contact Nate Henry or Aubrey Deerwester.
Parking
Everyone must obey parking regulations since summer school will be in session at ISU and employees will be reporting to work. Approved parking lots are shown below.
- No parking in lots designated for faculty and staff (identified by red signs) except for Lots M83, U83 and F83S.
- No parking in spaces marked “Reserved.”
- Car parking will be allowed in Lots F62, F64, G24, G53, G73, G81, G83, G86, G87, G91, and S67.
- If you park at a meter, you must feed it.
- Cars parked in lots not approved for Special Olympics may be ticketed. Tickets will be the responsibility of the owner. Be aware that ISU may tow illegally parked cars.
- Parking will also be available at Kingsley Jr. High.
- Special Olympics will operate a park & ride shuttle from Fairview Aquatics Park, 800 N. Main Street, Normal, IL.
Hours of operation: Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm and Saturday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Tentative Competition Times
All times listed below are tentative and subject to change once event specific schedules are determined. Times only reflect actual competition times and do not include time frames for coach meetings, weigh-in times, etc. For a final schedule please check the Supporting Documents section close to competition day.
Artistic Gymnastics
- Friday, Afternoon
- Saturday, All Day
Athletics
- Friday, Afternoon
- Saturday, All Day
- Sunday, Morning
Bocce
- Friday, Afternoon
- Saturday, All Day
Powerlifting
- Friday, Afternoon
- Saturday, All Day
- Sunday, Morning
Rhythmic Gymnastics
- Saturday, All Day
- Sunday, Morning
Soccer
- Friday, Afternoon
- Saturday, All Day
Swimming (Aquatics)
- Saturday, All Day
- Sunday, Morning
Healthy Athletes
The Healthy Athletes program offers health services and education to athletes, coaches and families in need. Athletes are encouraged to attend this FREE event! Healthy Athletes is located in Redbird Arena on the lower level concourse. All screenings are free and open to all Special Olympics athletes whether competing or not.
This year we are offering the following screenings:
- Opening Eyes vision screenings – Friday: Noon – 4pm; Saturday: 8am – 4pm
- Healthy Hearing screenings – Friday: Noon – 4pm; Saturday: 9am – 4pm
- FunFitness physical therapy screenings – Saturday: 9am – 3pm
- Health Pavilion – Olympic Town – Friday: Noon – 3pm; Saturday: 9am – 3pm
Youth Leadership Experience
The Youth Leadership Experience is a 2 –Day experience during Summer Games where you will learn event management skills, social media and marketing, have a volunteer shadow experience and help make the games successful. We are looking for 15 Leaders that are interested in participating. You will help in leading a Young Athletes event, shadow members of staff and key volunteers in area of interest and help with media promotion at the event. This is an awesome opportunity for youth ages 14-25 with and without disabilities to be part of this significant event and learn skills that will help throughout your lifetime. There is no cost to participate in the Youth Leadership Experience, however you are responsible for your own transportation to and from Summer Games.
CLICK HERE to apply for the 2019 Summer Games Youth Leadership Experience.
Young Athletes
Young Athletes from around the state enjoyed running, jumping, kicking, socializing and so much more during the 2019 Summer Games; we want you to be able to be a part of this year’s exciting events!
We have over 100 spots reserved for Young Athletes of all ages for the Statewide Culminating Event on Friday. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis! If you are interested in attending, please complete a registration form and return it to the Special Olympics office.
Young Athletes 6 & 7 years of age, with a valid medical application, also have the opportunity to choose between two transitional exhibitions. The 50-meter race (10 a.m. Saturday), tennis ball throw (12:20 p.m. Saturday) and individual soccer skills (1 p.m. Saturday) will be held on Saturday (times are tentative). To take part in the transitional exhibitions Young Athletes must have a valid Medical Application and can register for only one – athletics or soccer skills. As always, there will be a pizza party, Opening Ceremony, Olympic town, dance and so much other fun to join in!
Family Activities
Families are an integral part of Special Olympics Illinois and of the Summer Games. These proud supporters are seen in the stands, on the sidelines, serving as games committee and coaches. Regardless of your role, families are welcomed and celebrated for your support and enthusiasm for the athletes and Special Olympics Illinois.
Families attending the Summer Games should make their first stop at the Family Registration and Information area at either ISU or Normal West High School to pick up your Games Guide, free Family Tailgate picnic tickets and welcome gift. There are a lot of other things to see here too, including a free raffle for some cool Special Olympics gear, event flyers and of course info to help you navigate and fully experience the Summer Games. So please stop by and let us know you are at the Games.
The Family Registration and Information area is located in the lower northeast corner of Horton Fieldhouse and at Normal West Community High School and is open on Friday from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, at Hancock Stadium. In true pomp and ceremony during the Parade of Athletes representatives from the agencies (selected athletes and coaches) parade into the stadium in the best of Olympic tradition. Then please remove your caps and place your hands over your hearts for the National Anthem. Finally, to top off this spectacular event, is the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run where the officers pair with athletes to carry the torch along its final route and light the cauldron holding the Flame of Hope to kick off the Games!
Hy-Vee Uptown Victory Dance
The Hy-Vee Uptown Victory Dance will be held in Uptown Normal from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Saturday. The dance gives the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois a chance to celebrate their accomplishments and to socialize with others from around the state in addition to members of the community. Old friends will catch up and new friends will be made. The smiles and joy of the athletes are a testament to how Special Olympics Illinois helps transform lives.
Souvenirs
Minerva Promotions is selling souvenirs at ISU in the North Gym from 9:00 am-4:00 pm on Friday and 9:00 am-4:00 pm on Saturday, at Normal West High School on Saturday only from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm and during the Victory Dance on Saturday. You can purchase all your Special Olympics Illinois and Summer Games specific swag at these locations. For an additional fee, many items can be personalized at the ISU North Gym location.
Minerva Promotions accepts cash and all major credit cards except American Express. After the event, if you were unable to buy an item at the Games then you can purchase what is left over from the event at https://www.minervapromotions.com/stores/soill/illinois/summer-games.html or go to the Special Olympics Illinois website and follow the link to the Minerva Promotions Online Store and order your items on-line.
Avoid the Lines this Year: Minerva Promotions is offering pre-event sales. Click here to go directly to the online store. You can preorder your items and then just pick them up at Summer Games to avoid the lines and shipping costs.
There will be a Sale Table at the North Gym venue. The sale table will have a separate line and items must be paid for separately. The Sale Table accepts cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card and American Express.
Other Activities
- HOSPITALITY AREA AND COOLING CENTER – NEW LOCATION – An American Legion & Auxiliary Hospitality Area has moved to the concourse of Hancock Stadium. This is a covered area so it will provide a welcome relief from the sun. Athletes, families and coaches are welcome from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm for both Friday and Saturday. Refreshments including fresh fruit, vegetable trays and fruit juices are served courtesy of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliaries of Illinois. The Hospitality Area provides snacks; it does not serve meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner meals are available for registered athletes and coaches at the dining room in their assigned residence hall.
- Law Enforcement Torch Run – Torch Run Central will serve as a resource center during this year’s events and will coordinate all Law Enforcement activities including awarding medals. The tent is located directly across from volunteer registration and is open from 9am-3pm Sat.
- Olympic Town – Located on the Turner parking lot it provides numerous carnival games, displays, entertainment and various fun activities. It is open from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
- Special Activities – Several other opportunities are underway possibly including the Fairview Park Pool & Waterslide and Miller Park Zoo. Check back closer to Summer Games and look for fliers in your registration packet.
Weather
Special Olympics Illinois is adding a texting service for events. Individuals need to register themselves. During Summer Games, if weather or other issues cause schedule changes then we can quickly update registered individuals via this texting service. Please share this information with family and friends attending Summer Games. Information from registered individuals will only be used for the 2019 Summer Games and will not be retained for other purposes or events.
In case of inclement weather, schedule changes or cancellations check the website here for updates. You can also call 309-888-2000 Ext. 245
To register for Summer Games text service, text the message Summer2019 to 77453. You will receive a confirmation message.
Visit the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau website for information on lodging and activities in Bloomington-Normal.
Supporting Documents
**2019 Powerlifting Final Schedule
2019 Schedule Housing And Dining Memo
2019 Summer Games Master Schedule
2019 Summer Games Housing List
2019 Summer Games Shuttle Bus Map
2019 Head Coaches Meeting Schedule
2019 Summer Games DQ Reminders
2019 Summer Games Event Handbook Memo
2019 Summer Games Event Handbook with Shuttle Map
2019 Summer Games Event Handbook – MOBILE FRIENDLY
2019 Summer Games Interactive Souvenirs Flyer
2019 Important Summer Games Memo
2019 Summer Games Press Release
Torch Run Press Release Final Leg 2019
Family Information
Summer Games Family Information CORRECTED
Specials & Coupons
