Special Olympics Archives

Special Olympics Missouri breaks ground on Training for Life Campus

May 4, 2017 By Bill Pollock

SOMO breaks ground on new construction in Jefferson City, MO

Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) officially broke ground on construction of their one-of-a-kind Training for Life Center.

This 34,000 square foot facility will be the headquarters for Special Olympics Missouri, as well as provide our 15,312 athletes throughout the state a place to convene, train, and further their development both on and off the playing field. It will be the first facility of its kind in the world built for the sole purpose of improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by having athletic training and Healthy Athletes screenings in the same place.

Construction will begin soon after the groundbreaking, and is expected to be complete in the fall of 2018. The $16 million that has been raised to date is enough to construct the main building and multi-purpose outdoor sports field. SOMO is still looking to raise $2 million to complete the remaining outdoor training fields, including tennis courts, bocce courts, a softball field, horseshoe pits, golf skills areas, donor recognition areas and a wellness trail surrounding the campus.

In addition to athletics training, the campus will provide enrichment opportunities for new and existing SOMO programs, including free health screenings in our Healthy Athletes Program, life skills training, and our Young Athletes Program for children as young as three. These programs are specifically designed to improve health, fitness and socialization among our athletes.

Click here for more on the Training for Life Center

Mark Musso, President and CEO for Special Olympics Missouri

Training for Life Campus artist rendering

Special Olympics Missouri’s new Training for Life Campus will be more than just a place to play sports (VIDEO)

February 8, 2016 By Bill Pollock

Derek Sandbothe shows off the renderings of the Training for Life Campus

Special Olympics Missouri continues plans for their Training for Life Campus, The 44,000-square-foot campus will be located on donated land in Jefferson City, and will offer year-round training opportunities for athletes, coaches and volunteers who live throughout Missouri.

The campus will assist the more than 15,000 current athletes (and more than 108,000 Missourians with intellectual disabilities not yet participating) in the sate to not only train for 21 different sports, but also provide free health screenings and a place to learn life skills.

It is time for these athletes to gain a home field advantage…and you can help.

Derek Sandbothe has been with Special Olympics for 15 years and always loved sports. Derek started playing tee-ball when he was five, but when he was old enough for baseball, him and his mom decided it would be best if he stopped playing.

“Because of my lack of reaction, I ended up dropping out of hard ball,” Sandbothe said. “My brother played all the way through high school which was cool for him, but it kind of made me feel like an outsider, because I was never really good enough to compete at that level. I understand that and I’m OK with that…but I wanted more.”

When Sandbothe graduated from high school he learned about Special Olympics and from then on it felt like his life had a purpose.

“Before Special Olympics, it was go to work, come home,” recalled Sandbothe. “This organization (Special Olympics) has made my life tremendously better.”

Hear more about Derek’s story and how the Training for Life Campus will benefit athletes for generations and help Special Olympics athletes gain a Home Field Advantage

The Training for Life Campus would open up opportunities for anyone with intellectual disabilities to experience what Special Olympics is all about. Not only would the campus act as a training ground for current and new athletes, but it would allow and encourage people to try out different sports they may not otherwise be exposed to.

As I talked with Derek, he told me about the Healthy Athletes program developed by Special Olympics. Prior to events, each athlete must go through a physical and then routine screenings as they continue competition. However, most of the time it is not routine. Special Olympics offers free screenings, but only at their state games which take place three times a year. Not all athletes will compete in those events and for those that do, time becomes an issue when trying to go through the screening process. Yet in order to compete, athletes must be screened regularly, which could incur high costs for families.

The Training for Life Campus would allow athletes to come any time of the year for screenings to have their feet and ankles evaluated, hearing screenings, dental checkups, eye exams and more. All of these services would be provided at the campus free of charge to athletes and their families.

“It’s remarkable,” said Sandbothe. “Because most people don’t have the kind of funding to pay for that out of pocket cost by going to a doctor’s office for this. The Training for Life Campus will accommodate for that with no cost to the athlete.”

Some numbers that jumped out at me:
59% of the athletes served by this program were in the wrong shoe size
26% failed hearing tests
49% have at least one skin or nail condition
39% have untreated tooth decay
35% need new prescription glasses

Donors are supporting the Campus project in a big way. Even athletes are supporting the fundraising campaign. They need your support to meet their fundraising goals and start building the Campus.

Click here to donate

Supporting the SOMO Training for Life Campus is easy. You can consider these options for donating:

-Tax credits for businesses, individuals and families
-Naming opportunities for various areas of the Campus
-Gifts of stocks, real estate or property
-Direct support for a SOMO athlete
-Annual or monthly pledges
-Matching gifts from employers

Special Olympics Missouri is nearing 80% of their goal to build this $15.8 million facility. In order to receive the challenge award from the Mabee Foundation of $1 Million, Special Olympics Missouri must reach their goal by April 15.

What’s also beneficial to donors is that cash or pledges are welcome, so you don’t necessarily need to have cash available by the deadline. A pledge will also count towards the goal.

Derek is pictured here front row second from right at SOMO’s first Athlete Leadership Program’s University. The twice a year, two-day training allows athletes to take educational courses to help them become leaders within their communities. This new program will also play a pivotal role in the campus once completed.

Special Olympics Missouri gearing up for final push to make Training for Life Campus a reality

January 28, 2016 By Bill Pollock

A tentative layout of the Training for Life Campus

Special Olympics Missouri is planning for the Training for Life Campus, the new home for Special Olympics Missouri. A major fundraising campaign is winding down and SOMO is looking for active donors.

Their Training for Life Campus will serve current and future generations of individuals with intellectual disabilities, and will be the largest such facility in scope in the United States. The 44,000-square-foot campus will be located in Jefferson City, and will offer year-round training opportunities for athletes, coaches and volunteers from throughout Missouri.

The site for the TLC will be located at the northeast corner of U.S. Highway 54 and Missouri Highway 179. It will be the first facility of its kind in the world built for the sole purpose of improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

Families and friends of more than 1,200 athletes that will visit the campus to train each year will utilize hotel room nights, meals in local restaurants, and shopping opportunities. The campus doesn’t stop there — it will serve as a lifelong community hub and center, and will inspire a new drive in our athletes so that they may be continue to develop physical and social skills they need to be as productive and independent as possible.

Special Olympics Missouri is currently just over 75% of their financial goal for the $12.5 million facility. They need to hit their goal by April 15th to receive a special $1 million grant.

There is still time to donate to help Special Olympics Missouri reach their goal so they can fund this outstanding campus.

Mo Magic picks up several medals on the final day of competition at the Special Olympics USA Games in New Jersey

June 20, 2014 By Bill Pollock

Thomas Cleek hits a shot during the golf competition at the Special Olympics, 2014 USA Games. Cleek won a gold medal at the event (photo/Special Olympics Missouri)

Many of the teams from Special Olympics Missouri finished up competition play on Thursday and just have their awards to receive on Friday at the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey. Overall it was a great day for Team Missouri in medals as Mo Magic took home 15 golds and 29 medals overall with more to come.

Athletics – Results:

• Danny Topete: Gold in the running long jump, gold in mini javelin
• Allen Tobin: 4th in the running long jump, 5th in 100m run, 4th in 200m run
• Maria Arnett, Danny Topete, Paige Hall and Jason Coffman: 4th in 4×100 Relay
• Shelley Antle: Gold in 50m walk, Gold in standing long jump
• Maria Arnett: 5th in 200m run, Silver in 100m run, Bronze in running long jump
• Eric Wright: Gold in 50m walk
• Jason Coffman: Bronze in running long jump, Gold in 200m run
• Paige Hall: 4th in 100m run, Gold in running long jump, Silver in shot put
• Jane Highland: Gold in 100m run, 7th in running long jump, Bronze in mini javelin, Gold in shot put

Aquatics – Results:

• Nathan Baldwin: Silver in the 50 freestyle
• Jennifer Neihouse: 8th in the 50 freestyle
• Logan Hulett: Bronze in the 200 backstroke
• Kirstin Carlson: Silver in the 1,000 free
• 4 x 50 relay team of Cody Anderson, Logan, Jennifer and Libby Waddell got Gold

Basketball (men’s) –
The men played a very tough match against New York. They were ahead most of the game but lost by 1 point. They play Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. against Indiana for the bronze at the College of New Jersey.

Basketball (women’s) –
The women started off the morning playing against Texas. They won 21-12 and play Friday morning for the gold medal at 9:15 a.m. at The Hun School.

Bocce – Results:

• Lonnie Thornton – Gold in singles
• Matt Cepeda – Silver in singles
• Pierce Rash – 4th in singles
• Rebecca Tinknell – 4th in singles
• Morgan Coombe – Gold in singles
• Melissa Buss – Silver in singles

Golf – Results:

• Thomas Cleek – Gold
• Tere’e Trussell – Silver
• Tina Jones – 4th place
• Jocelyn Diehl and Stephanie Littrell – participation ribbons
• Chris Ringot – Silver
• Nick and Jerry McMullen – Silver

Tennis – Results:

• Brittany Selken – Bronze in singles
• Bobby Williams – Bronze in singles

Volleyball – Results:

The team started out the morning with a loss against New Jersey. They played Pennsylvania for the bronze medal. It was a rematch from the other day. After losing the first set, they came back strong and won on the second set. They got the win on the third set and took bronze. They have awards Friday.

Several Special Olympians from Missouri medal after full day of events at USA Games in New Jersey

June 18, 2014 By Bill Pollock

Brianne Chavez (L) displays her four gold medals

On Tuesday, each of our teams representing Missouri competed, with many receiving medals at the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey. Here is a breakdown of some of the highlights provided by Special Olympics, Missouri.

Athletics –

Eric Wright won gold in the 50 meter run. Officially he was the first medal of the for Team Missouri.

Powerlifting –

Powerlifters Dary McIntyre and Brianne Chavez had an absolutely phenomenal day of competition according to coach Ed Blaylock. Brianne just totally dominated everyone in the female division and probably could have outlifted most of the men. She set a personal record by squatting 330 lbs. and probably could have done 350 easily if given the chance she was that on it today. She then benched 165 lbs. and deadlifted 358, which gave her a total of 854 lbs. on the day. All of those lifts won her a gold medal and was obviously good enough for the overall gold medal in the combination as well (four gold medals in total).

Aquatics –

• Nathan Baldwin: 4th place in the 25 yard backstroke
• Logan Hulett: Bronze in the 200 yard freestyle
• Cody Anderson: Silver in the 200 yard freestyle and bronze in the 100 yard medley
• Libby Waddell: Bronze in the 100 yard individual medley and bronze in the 200 yard freestyle
Tomorrow holds more preliminaries and finals for our swimmers and they’re really looking forward to getting back in the pool.

Bowling –

Today was the finals day of singles competition in which the guys did really well. Michael Lunceford bowled a 160 and his average is a 91, and he finished with the gold medal in his division! Chris Miller was in a really tough group and bowled a 208 in one of his games.

Volleyball –

The volleyball team had preliminary matches again Colorado and Pennsylvania on Tuesday. In the morning session, Team Missouri won both games (in three sets against Pennsylvania and two against Colorado). In the afternoon, they beat Pennsylvania again (this time in two sets), but lost to Colorado in three really, really close sets. They are adding another team to their division tomorrow in New Jersey. They are set to play at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

125 athletes, coaches and volunteers representing Missouri at the start of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games

June 13, 2014 By Bill Pollock

Special Olympics

The 2014 Special Olympics USA Games start this weekend in New Jersey and continue through the Closing Ceremony on June 20, as the nation will be introduced to more than 3,500 inspirational athletes who will shatter perceptions in the largest national games undertaking ever in the United States that will include 16 different sports competitions at 10 different locations.

Among those 3,500 athletes will be 125 who will be making the trip from Missouri. These athletes have been training for over a year and have had to qualify by winning gold or silver medals at events across our state. In addition to competing they must go through an evaluation process as well as fund raising to help defer the costs of traveling.

These athletes are dedicated to doing their best in their events, but they also enjoy the comraderie from their fellow teammates and other athletes from across the country.

You can follow MoMagic in their quest for gold at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games by signing up for updates.

Brandon Schatsiek from Special Olympics, Missouri joins me to share more about the Games.

Missourinet Mornings–Special Olympics sending athletes to USA Games (VIDEO)

September 30, 2013 By Bill Pollock

Jean Bursmeyer, Jan Wood, George Richardson (l-r back) and Tabitha Morris (front) took on my challenge to play some volleyball on our front lawn.

Special Olympics Missouri will be sending over 80 athletes to New Jersey next June to compete in the USA games. On Friday I had the opportunity to meet with a few of the athletes who will be representing the Show Me State in volleyball. Jan Wood, George Richardson, and Jean Buersmeyer are three of the athletes who make up Missouri’s squad. Tabitha Morris, who is not making the trip, but is preparing for softball at the Fall Games in Cape Girardeau, was a teammate of these three on a volleyball team that won the state tournament.

The athletes selected to represent Missouri at the USA Games were nominated. Each athlete is responsible for helping raise funds for their trip. Watch my video and get a chance to meet some pretty cool people. Click on their link to learn more about them and how you can support their efforts.

Jean Buersmeyer

Jan Wood

George Richardson

Every four years, Special Olympics conducts a national summer games in the United States that includes athletes from all 52 US Programs. New Jersey is proud to have been selected as host of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games, the Games of Welcome and Acceptance.

The 2014 Special Olympics USA Games will showcase athletes competing in 14 official and 3 demonstration sports. Competitions will be offered in both traditional and Unified play, bringing together the community to support and play side-by-side with our athletes, in what expects to be the most inclusive Games in Special Olympics History.

WHO:
3,500 athletes from all 50 states
10,000 volunteers
coaches and official delegates
family members and friends of athletes
spectators

TEAM MISSOURI:
Team Missouri will consist of the following sports: Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Flag Football, Golf, Powerlifting, Tennis, and Volleyball.

State Outdoor Games coming to Jefferson City in 2014

September 18, 2013 By Bill Pollock

Flag football will be one of the events coming to Jefferson City in the fall of 2014. (Photo/Special Olympics, Missouri)

More than 900 athletes and coaches, along with family and friends from across Missouri will converge on Jefferson City Oct. 3-5, 2014, for the Special Olympics Missouri State Outdoor Games. This will be the first of a four-year term in the city. This is the first time a Special Olympics Missouri state event will be held in Jefferson City since the 2007 State Outdoor Championships.

“Our past experiences with Jefferson City have been among the best in the state,” said Mark Musso, Special Olympics Missouri CEO/President. “Whether it is securing sponsors or volunteers, it’s always been an easy process in Jefferson City. For that reason, we’re confident that the Jefferson City community will provide the volunteers, sponsors and top-notch venues we need to make this a safe, fun and successful event for our athletes.

Softball, tennis, soccer, bocce, flag football and golf are featured in the State Outdoor Games, which were previously held in Cape Girardeau from 2010-13. Competition will include traditional games, Unified Sports (bringing together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities — people of similar age and athletic ability), team skills and individual skills.

AUDIO Trish Lutz interview (2:45)

Special Olympics athlete hits hole-in-one (AUDIO)

May 9, 2012 By Bill Pollock

Former Chiefs player Anthony Davis celebrates Jason Wright's hole-in-one

Hitting a hole-in-one is nothing new for Special Olympics athlete Jason Wright from Springfield. This past weekend, Wright hit a 210-yard tee shot that landed on the green and rolled into the cup on Hole #13 at Swope Memorial Golf Course in Kansas City. A rare feat in itself, but add to the fact, this was Wright’s third hole-in-one in his career. Wright’s first came in June 2004 at the Wellington Country Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. His second came in October 2007 at Millwood Golf Club in Springfield.

Wright was golfing with former Kansas City Chief Anthony Davis and two fellow Special Olympics athletes at last weekend’s Dare to Dream Golf Scramble to support Athlete Sports Camp, to be held in June. Davis tell us what happened next.

AUDIO Davis on Jason Wright’s hole-in-one (3:45)

Wright has participated in Special Olympics Missouri for 18 years. He may be one of the most decorated Special Olympics athlete in Missouri’s history. Since Special Olympics Missouri added golf, Wright has won 17 state tournaments. In 2008, Wright was a gold medalist at the Special Olympics National Invitational Golf Tournament, held at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 15,000 athletes participate in 21 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. Visit Special Olympics for more information on upcoming events and how you can get involved.