June 2, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; June 2, 2009 -- Penn State is set to host Special Olympics Pennsylvania's 40th Annual Summer Games this Thursday through Saturday, June 4-6. The event, sponsored by Sheetz, Inc., will draw more than 2,000 athletes and 750 coaches from the community, cities, organizations and corporations across the Commonwealth.
More than 50 Penn State student-athletes, representing 10 varsity teams, will be among the 2,500 volunteers at the state-level competition, which will include events such as aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, softball and tennis.
Penn State Football's Galen Hall is Honorary Chair for the Games, which are being held at Penn State for the 22nd consecutive year. Hall, who is the Nittany Lions' running backs coach and
oversees the offense, is entering his sixth season on the coaching staff at his alma mater. He has been instrumental in three Nittany Lion running backs gaining 1,000 or more rushing yards in each of the past four seasons.
Preliminary Summer Games competition will begin on Thursday, followed by the traditional fanfare of Opening Ceremonies on Jeffrey Field at 7:15 p.m. with emcee Kellie Goodman, the former sports director at WTAJ-TV in Altoona.
On Friday, competition will begin at nine venues in individual skills, individual events, relay, and team events, and conclude with more events on Saturday. The closing ceremonies are Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at East Halls Lawn with emcee Steve Jones, sports director at 95.3/3WZ and the voice of Penn State football and men's basketball and the State College Spikes.
There is no admission fee for any of the events.
For more information about the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games or to volunteer at the Games, call 800-865-3600 or log onto http://www.specialolympicspa.org.
