President’s Corner: August

I love our Fall sports season because it is full of activity and excitement. From August to December, athletes and Unified teammates train and compete in kayaking, golf, cycling, flag football, long-distance running, powerlifting, soccer, tennis, and bowling. Our Interscholastic Unified Sports (IUS) tennis program is in full swing, and our bowling program will start later this fall, with the state tournament in December. The ten sports offered during these five months make Fall our busiest season.

Thanks to our dedicated coaches and volunteers, we recently wrapped up a fantastic kayak season, culminating in our championship on August 17th. Our coaches worked hard to prepare their athletes, and a committed group of volunteers ensured both the qualifying event, and the championship were well executed. Special thanks to Washington College for once again hosting us at their boathouse, and to the Law Enforcement Torch Run volunteers for presenting awards. Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of our athletes’ families. I am also grateful for our Special Olympics Maryland staff. Most importantly, I’m grateful to our athletes, who continue to inspire us to provide high-quality sports experiences.

This Fall season also brings league play for our flag football and soccer athletes. Both sports kick off on September 14th, with soccer at Cedar Lane Park in Columbia and flag football at Long Reach High School. These weekly games lead up to our state tournaments—soccer in Fruitland on October 27th, and flag football at the Fall Sports Festival at Mount St. Mary’s on October 19th.

Our IUS fall season is underway, with tennis teams competing weekly across school districts, leading to the state tournament at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park on November 12th. We’re also excited for our second season of IUS Flag Football, which will wrap up with a championship tournament on November 19th at Middle Branch Field in Baltimore.

Additionally, we’re starting the third season of our Unified® Intramural program at Towson University. Soccer will kick off next week, followed by a six-week flag football season in October. The University of Maryland and Mount St. Mary’s also have Unified Intramural programs, and our Lower Shore Bocce League will be active again this fall. As our “young” athletes and Unified teammates return to school, they will engage in their early childhood Young Athletes programs across the state.

We couldn’t provide these experiences to our athletes without exceptional support from our donors, supporters, and year-round corporate partners like Allegis Group, BGE CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Chick-fil-A, Coca Cola Consolidated, Constellation, Jersey Mike’s, M&T Bank, Pizza Boli’s, SECU, Sheetz, St. John Properties, Wawa, and Weis Markets.

Together, we’re building interactive inclusive communities of dignity and respect, and through sport, creating a world where opportunity is not limited by disability.