Fall Games

COVID Procedures

Unless a venue has specific COVID protocols in place, Special Olympics Illinois is following Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC COVID protocols and guidelines.  Please refer to event specific information or website page (if applicable) to determine if the venue has any specific COVID protocols. 

Special Olympics Illinois is committed to providing the best athlete, volunteer, coach and supporter environment possible.  While we are excited to resume in-person events, the health and well-being of our constituents remains our top priority.  All of our in person events follow the COVID-19 recommended IDPH and CDC guidelines. 

Please review the COVID High-Risk fact sheet for more information:

https://www.soill.org/wp-content/uploads/2-High-Risk-Fact-Sheet-7.9.20.pdf

What is Fall Games?

Fall Games is one of 13 state sports competitions. It is the culminating competition for those winning a gold medal at a Region Tournament in Volleyball and those participating in Equestrian. More than 700 athletes compete in this tournament.

Competition Information

Equestrian

Do you love horses? Then Equestrian is the sport for you. The Equestrian competition will be conducted at BraveHearts at the Bergmann Centre in Poplar Grove. Athletes registered to compete in Dressage, English Equitation, Showmanship, Stock Seat Equitation and Working Trails will compete on Saturday. 

Equestrian registration information coming soon.

Volleyball

Volleyball is a fantastic sport to play. Special Olympics Illinois team competition brings the best teams in the state together in an exciting event.  Team competition is offered for both traditional and Unified formats. Unified teams will participate in screening games prior to final divisions being determined. Games will start as scheduled and IHSA rules will govern all tournament play. Athletes competing in volleyball team competition will be required to wear appropriate attire. No jeans or jean shorts will be allowed.

Athletes may also compete in Volleyball skills. Skills competition will be on Saturday, at Harlem High School. Competition will begin at 9am on Saturday and awards will be presented after all skills competitions are completed. Athletes competing in skills will be required to wear appropriate attire. No jeans or jean shorts will be allowed for any athlete in skills competition.

Volleyball registration information coming soon.

Tentative Competition Times

All times listed below are tentative and subject to change once event specific schedules are determined. For a final schedule please check the Supporting Documents section close to competition day.

Volleyball

• Saturday, 9am-5pm
• Sunday, 8am-3pm

Equestrian

• Saturday, 8am-4pm
• Sunday, 8am – 3pm

Facility Information

SITE: Rockford, Illinois

• Equestrian – BraveHearts at the Bergmann Centre, Poplar Grove, IL
• Volleyball – Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL

Volunteer Information

We are looking for volunteers to help at the Volleyball venue on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday and Sunday.  If you are interested in volunteering, please use the link below.

Opening Ceremony

In place of our traditional Opening Ceremony, Special Olympics will be providing tickets to the Rockford Ice Hogs Hockey Game as they take on the Chicago Wolves!  The game will be located at the BMO Center (300 Elm St.  Rockford, IL). 

All athletes & coaches will need to register for tickets and submit to Region Director at entry deadline.  Individuals will receive a game ticket which will include a food voucher (hot dog, chips & drink / veggie option available upon request).  If any other food or snacks are wanted, agencies will be responsible for payment.  Concession purchases are cashless.  Guests may purchase concessions with a Visa or MasterCard credit card, debit card or gift card only.  Please note that a clear bag policy will be in place for all individuals.

2023 Opening Ceremony Flyer

2023 Opening Ceremony Registration Form.

Souvenirs

Souvenirs are sold on Saturday ONLY at both venues from 8:00am – 2:00pm.  Cash and most major credit cards are accepted for souvenir sales.  CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.  Souvenir items are offered by Minerva Promotions and a percentage of sales are given to Special Olympics Illinois. You can save time and preorder items and pick them up on-site.  If you want to personalize any items then you must pre-order them.  On-site customization is not offered at the tournament.  Please go to www.soillstatestore.com to view items and submit your preorder. The Pre-order deadline is October 11 at 8:00am.

Families

Families Registration/Hospitality is open for families and friends attending the Fall Games competition. Families should stop by Families Registration at both the Volleyball and Equestrian venues to check-in and be entered into our free raffle. You can also pick up event information. A hospitality area will also be available at Harlem High School. Concessions will be available at Harlem High School for families to purchase snack and lunch items. A food truck will be at the Equestrian venue Saturday from 11:00am-2:00pm.

Family Registration/Hospitality Hours:

            Equestrian -Bergmann Center                            Saturday           7:30am – 2:00pm

            Volleyball – Harlem High School                       Saturday           8:00am – 3:00pm

                                                                                    Sunday             7:30am – 12:00pm

A Family Evening Activity is being planned – details will be released soon!

Victory Dance

There will be no dance in 2023.

Text Alerts and Event status Updates

In case of inclement weather, schedule changes or cancellations check the website here for updates. You can also subscribe to our text alert system by texting “fallgames” to 77453

This alert will send you any last minute changes in the Fall Games schedule. 

Awards

Please check back closer to the event for more information.

Meals

Lunch for the Volleyball venue is served in the Harlem High School commons area.   Lunch for the Equestrian venue is served at Bergmann Centre.   

Dinner will be served at the Rockford Ice Hogs Hockey Game

Hotels

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce has been working on a great option for coaches, athletes and families to stay over for Fall Games weekend.   The Sure Stay by Best Western is offering Special Olympics Illinois an introductory price of $50 / room.

The Sure Stay is newly remodeled and the location is great:  close to Harlem High School, Rockford Ice Hogs Hockey and 20 minutes from Poplar Grove.

It is strongly encouraged to reserve rooms by October 6th.

If you are interested, please follow the link below:

https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.54207.html?groupId=S29JA9S1

**Based on availability

Supporting Documents

2023 Fall Games Event Handbook

2023 Fall Games Souvenir Flyer

For assistance in securing a hotel room for this event please visit: https://www.gorockford.com

To see a complete list of all State Championship Competitions, click here.

To find out more information about the Knights of Columbus, who support Special Olympics Illinois throughout the year, click here.

Results

Please check back after the competition for the results postings.

Highlights from the 2022 Competition

Who We Are

Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world.  Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 13,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities.  Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life.  Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support.