Release

Fans and Volunteers Sought to Support the Special Olympics New York 2006 Summer Games

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 437-4980

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 2, 2006) -- The Special Olympics New York 2006 Summer Games are coming to the University at Albany June 15-18. More than 2,000 athletes and coaches will take part in the Summer Games, which are returning to the University at Albany for the first time since 2000. The Summer Games is the largest of more than 400 competitions held each year throughout New York.

Special Olympics New York, which does not charge athletes to participate, provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Opening Ceremonies on Thursday, June 15 at 8 p.m. will feature the traditional Athlete Oath and Parade of Athletes, fireworks, skydivers, dance and musical entertainment, and the conclusion of the statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run and motorcade leading to the lighting of the Special Olympics Cauldron. Athletic Competition is on Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17, in eight Olympic-style sports. For a detailed schedule visit Special Olympics New York.

University at Albany head basketball coach Will Brown, his assistant coaches, and eight players volunteered their time June 1 to run a basketball clinic for more than 30 Special Olympic athletes at the University's sports complex. Four teams from surrounding counties learned ball handling, passing, and shooting skills from the UAlbany Great Danes men's basketball team, 2006 America East Champions, then ended the evening with an emotion-packed, high-intensity scrimmage and a photo op and poster-signing session to commemorate the event.

The public is invited to experience the pageantry and competition of this inspirational athletic tradition. All Special Olympics events are free and open to the public.

Volunteers are still needed to fill key roles involving medals presentation, opening ceremonies, distributing lunches, and staffing athletic venues for the aquatics, basketball, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, tennis, volleyball, and track and field events.

For more information on becoming a volunteer, email [email protected] or visit Special Olympics New York and click on Summer Games.