Special Olympics
The Arc of Hunt County is a supporter of Special Olympics in Hunt County because it provides a wonderful opportunity for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate in sports in a venue that recognizes each person’s abilities.
Hunt County Special Olympics is run by a dedicated group of volunteers, who thru their hard work and dedication have seen this program grow and make an impact on the community and the individuals that it serves. Because of the growth and the need for this program in this county we are in constant need of people willing to serve as coaches and volunteers to assist the coaches. We need local financial support so our athletes can go to competitions on the local, area, and state level.
To learn how to become involved or make a financial contribution please contact our local Special Olympics representative Rick Kohn of Greenville at his e-mail, RICKEYKOHN@aol.com
For those persons interested in participating in Special Olympics you must be 8 – 99 years of age and have an intellectual and developmental disability. You will be required to have a physical signed by a doctor every three years on file with Special Olympics in order to participate. For elementary age children the coaches require that they be supervised by their own parents for their safety at all practices and competitions.
At this time the following sports are available in Hunt County and are coached by the following individuals:
Bowling ---- Rodney Stailey at mistystailey@yahoo.com
This event begins in late summer with the area competition taking place in late October or early November. Because the local Special Olympic group pays for the practice games, only those that plan on going to the area competition in Dallas are allowed to participate at practices and the area meet.
Basketball and Individual Basketball Skill ---- Gennie Green. Phone: 214-952-7831
Practices for these events begin in late fall with the area meet taking place in February. This group of athletes will continue to practice thru the spring in order to attend the spring state games. Only individuals that have gone to the area meet can compete in the state games.
Track and Field ---- Steve Shipp, E-mail: stshipp@9plus.net
This event begins in March and ends in May. This group of athletes competes in at least two local track and field meets and the area track meet. Each athlete is allowed to compete in one track event and one field event.
Feel free to contact any of the above coaches for more information about these sports.
Hunt County Special Olympics would like to offer more sports, but coaches are needed.
If you are interested in becoming a coach or volunteer you can contact any of the above individuals or you can find more information at www.sotx.org.
