Fall Games

Volleyball Livestreams

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.  No Equestrian competition will happen on Sunday.

Equestrian registration will begin at 6:30pm on Friday, October 22 after the coaches meeting that begins at 6:00pm on Friday evening. The class list and schedule are available on the website. The Equestrian Tournament Central phone number is 309-242-7602.

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. 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.

Registration for Volleyball will be located at Harlem High School at Tournament Central beginning at 8:00am on Saturday. Volleyball Team and Individual Skills competition will begin at 9:00am on Saturday and will continue on Sunday beginning at 9:00am. If your volleyball team is not playing until the afternoon, you do not have to register your agency until closer to your scheduled game time. Please register at least ½ hour in advance.  Please contact 847-845-6481 if you have any questions.

• Unified Volleyball Teams must stay for the duration of the day on Saturday as additional pool play or games may be added in the afternoon.
• Volleyball Individual Skills competition will begin at 9:00am on Saturday. The skills competition will be conducted on Courts 4 & 5 at Harlem High School.

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, 9am-3pm

Equestrian

• Saturday, 8am-4pm

Facility Information

SITE: Rockford, Illinois

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

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

The Opening Ceremony begins at 6:30pm in the Harlem High School main gymnasium. Regions are assigned seating. Agencies may begin seating for the Opening Ceremony at 6:00pm.  There is no parade of athletes at this event.

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.

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 – 2:0pm

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

                                                                                    Sunday             7:30am – 12:00pm

A Family Dessert Reception will be held at Harlem High School on Saturday evening immediately following the Opening Ceremony. There is no charge for this event and families and friends are invited to attend to enjoy coffee and dessert with other families and friends from around the state. This takes place from 7:00pm – 8:30pm during the dance held for the athletes.

Victory Dance

The dance will take place at Harlem High School after the Opening Ceremony. The dance is from 7:00pm – 8:30pm in the high school’s main gymnasium. Please see the flyer in Supporting Document section for more information.

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 school in the commons area from 5pm – 6pm. 

Supporting Documents

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

Fall Games 2022 Event Handbook

Fall Games 2022 Coach Proof

Fall Games 2022 Equestrian Schedule

Fall Games 2022 Equestrian Class List

Fall Games 2022 Volleyball Schedule

Fall Games 2022 Volleyball Divisions

Fall Games 2022 Unified Pool Play Schedule

Fall Games 2022 Menu

Fall Games 2022 Souvenir Flyer

Fall Games 2022 Victory Dance and Costume Party Flyer

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

2022 Fall Games Results

Highlights from the 2021 Competition

Fall Games 2021 Day 1 Footage

Fall Games 2021 Day 2 Live Stream

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.