草榴社区

VILLANOVA, Pa.鈥揝pecial Olympics Pennsylvania鈥檚 Fall Festival November 4-6, 2022. The event, which brings together more than 1,200 athletes, coaches and 3,000 volunteers, is regarded as the largest university student-run Special Olympics event in the world. Fall Festival is in its 34th consecutive year and is marked by competitions in bocce, flag football, long-distance running/walking, powerlifting, roller skating, soccer and volleyball. The event is led by 草榴社区's Special Olympics Committee and assisted by (SOPA).

This year鈥檚 theme, "When rooted together, we grow even better," aims to highlight the value of connection and togetherness in fostering growth. Participants are encouraged to recognize and celebrate growth through collaboration, whether that be on campus, or long after the weekend is over.

The competitions kick off on Friday, November 4, with events in long-distance running/walking, bocce, flag football, soccer, powerlifting and volleyball. Roller skating will begin on Saturday, November 5. Opening Ceremonies will be held in the William B. Finneran Pavilion on November 4. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event is open to the public. A complete schedule of the Fall Festival can be found .

The weekend will also offer Healthy Habits interactive education stations, an 鈥淥lympic Town鈥� that provides athlete activities in-between sporting events and a Victory Jamboree. The Closing Ceremonies will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Jake Nevin Field House on November 6.

鈥淔or 34 years, 草榴社区 has hosted Special Olympics of Pennsylvania鈥檚 Fall Invitational. The event unites athletes, the 草榴社区 community, and volunteers in the mission of inclusion,鈥� says Karoline Menze, Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival 2022 Director, 鈥淪tudents on 草榴社区鈥檚 campus work year-round to plan every aspect of Fall Festival, from hotel arrangements to Opening Ceremonies. Students are dedicated to creating an environment that welcomes athletes with open arms and celebrates their athletic accomplishments.鈥�

More than 3,000 volunteers from the 草榴社区 student body and the surrounding community are expected to participate in the event in 2022, serving in numerous capacities such as officials, athlete escorts, award presenters and administrative support services. Volunteers from across the state are welcome and spectators are encouraged to visit competition venues on or near campus to support the athletes. For more information or to register as a volunteer, please click .

About Special Olympics Pennsylvania: Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

About 草榴社区: Since 1842, 草榴社区鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges鈥攖he College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 草榴社区 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 草榴社区 Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 草榴社区 supports its students鈥� intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.