Siena College will host the 2017 and 2018 State Summer Games for Special Olympics New York, it was announced Thursday at a campus press conference.
Athletes and coaches will travel to Siena from around the state for competition on Saturday, June 17, 2017. All events, including the opening and closing ceremonies, are free and open to the public.
“Siena is honored to be hosting the Summer Games for the Special Olympics,” said Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D., president of Siena and honorary co-chair of the event, along with Albany County Executive Dan McCoy. “We look forward to welcoming these athletes to our campus and to the Capital Region and to supporting their endeavors as they strive to achieve their best.”
This will mark the first time in a decade that the State Summer Games will be held in the Capital Region. Athletes must qualify at a local level to compete in the state games.
“We are excited to be back in the Capital Region for our State Summer Games,” said Neal J. Johnson, president and CEO of Special Olympics New York. “Siena has a long and valued relationship with Special Olympics athletes, having hosted many local events and provided training opportunities for several of our World Games teams. This is a great community with strong ties to our athletes.”
Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and competition in 22 Olympic-style sports events to children and adults with intellectual disabilities at no cost to the athletes, their families or caregivers.
Numerous volunteers from surrounding communities are needed to support competitions and events next June:
-Opening ceremony staff and support
-Staff for all sporting venues
-Set up and break down at all venues
-Distribution of lunches
-Cheering on the athletes at all events and the opening and closing ceremonies.
Some events will be held at Hudson Valley Community College, The Sage Colleges, World Class Gymnastics and Spare Time Bowling Alley.
For more information and to register online to volunteer, please visit www.specialolympicsny.org or email volunteer@nyso.org. Volunteers can be individuals or groups.
Special Olympics New York will need to raise funds in the Capital Region and is looking for corporate, community and individual partnerships. For more information about sponsorship, contact 518-936-4468.
For more photos from the press conference, click here.
