Special Olympics Indiana

Media Resources

Welcome to Special Olympics Indiana's online media resource section. Here, you'll find general information to assist you with your article or project, press releases for recent events, images, logos and facts about Special Olympics Indiana. Please note that additional information about Special Olympics Indiana is available in the About Us section of our Web site.

If you have a question or need help locating information on this site, please contact Amanda Personett at (800) 742-0612, ext. 243 or email.

Press Releases

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - Former Colts Player to Benefit Special Olympics

FORMER COLTS PLAYER TO BENEFIT SPECIAL OLYMPICS

INDIANAPOLIS — Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jeff Herrod will host a silent auction from 8 to 11 p.m. on May 17 at Landsharks in Broad Ripple. Proceeds from the auction, will benefit Special Olympics Indiana.

“Helping Special Olympics Indiana means helping those with intellectual disabilities feel a part of the competitive world of sports,” said Herrod, who hopes to make the fundraiser an annual event.

The silent auction will feature professional sports memorabilia, including Colts, Pacers and IndyCar Racing items.

“I’m working with other current and former Colts players and celebrities to participate in carrying the torch for Special Olympics,” said Herrod.

Herrod became involved with Special Olympics Indiana after participating in the 2008 Polar Plunge, an event which raised more than $190,000 for Hoosiers with intellectual disabilities.

“I met Special Olympics volunteer, Kate Jones, who asked if I could get involved with the Special Olympics Polar Plunge as a VIP guest,” said Herrod. “Special Olympics was new to me, and I educated myself more about the purpose. I agreed to plunge because I love a good challenge, and it was a great cause. I had the time of my life and was so happy to be involved, but I felt compelled to do more for the organization by jumpstarting a fundraiser and getting others involved as well.”

The event is open to the public and community members are encouraged to attend. Landsharks is an over-21 establishment located at 810 Broad Ripple Avenue in Indianapolis. For more information on “Indy’s Best Beach Bar,” please call (317) 254-8157.

ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS INDIANA

Special Olympics Indiana is a not-for-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in more than 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching more than 10,000 athletes across Indiana. The organization receives no federal- or state-appropriated funds, is not a United Way agency and relies entirely on corporate, civic and individual donations. For more information about Special Olympics Indiana, call (317) 328-2000 or visit www.soindiana.org.

Monday, April 14, 2008 - State Basketball Tournament

INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY TO HOST

SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES

FOR STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Teams from across Indiana to compete March 29 & 30

TERRE HAUTE – Approximately 70 Special Olympics Indiana basketball teams will compete this March 29 and 30 at the 2008 Special Olympics Indiana Men’s State Basketball Tournament at Indiana State University (ISU). The event will take place at ISU’s Health and Human Performance Building.

Special Olympics athletes competing in the tournament will play in tournament rounds organized into divisions based upon individual skills and team ability levels. Prior to competing in the state tournament, all teams completed at least eight weeks of training and qualified from Special Olympics Indiana sectional competitions held throughout the state.

The Special Olympics Indiana men’s basketball tournament is unique compared to those of other states because of its sectional competition, which allows teams to move on to finals at state like conventional high school basketball championships. Seven sectionals were held across the state on Mar. 15.

All state semi-final games will play March 29 and championship games March 30 on the courts of the North and South Gymnasiums at Indiana State University. Courts 1-3 are located in the South Gym. Courts 4-5 and Skills competitions are held in the North Gym.

Special Olympics Individual Skills competition will also be held. The purpose of this competition is to allow athletes to train and compete in basic basketball skills. It is designed for lower ability athletes who do not have the skills to participate in team basketball. The event schedule follows:

MARCH 24 SEMI-FINALS

9:00 a.m. Court 1: Montgomery Co. Wolfpack vs. Vanderburgh Co. Eagles

Court 2: Howard Co. Wildkats vs. Marion Co. ISC S Jaguars

Court 3: Monroe Co. Cutters vs. Jay Co. Bobcatz

Court 4: Montgomery Co. Indians vs. Gibson-Pike Dreamers

Court 5: Shelby Co. Generals vs. Clark Co. Wildcats

(continued)

10:00 a.m. Individual Skills Competition begins

10:15 a.m. Court 1: Lake Co. Flames vs. Shelby Co. Magic

Court 2: Gibson-Pike Roadrunners vs. Elkhart Co. Stars

Court 3: Cass Co. Kats vs. Delaware Co. Mavericks

Court 4: Madison Co. Hawks vs. Delaware Co. Cardinals

Court 5: Marion Co. ISC S Wildcats vs. Warrick Co. Wolves

11:30 a.m. Court 1: Warrick Co. Bandits vs. Delaware Co. Stars

Court 2: Opening Ceremonies Preparation

Court 3: H-W-C Harrison Co. Hornets vs. Hamilton Co. Wildcats

Court 4: Vanderburgh Co. Colts vs. Delaware Co. Hawks

Court 5: Tippecanoe Co. Tippy Lakers vs. Marshall-Starke Bobcats

12:45 p.m. Opening Ceremonies at South Gym

1:30 p.m. Court 1: Damar Lakers vs. Madison Co. Ravens

Court 2: Marion Co. ISC W Kings vs. Clark Co. Stars

Court 3: Teams TBD

Court 4: White Co. Lakers vs. H-W-C Showstoppers

Court 5: R-O-D Trojans vs. Marshall-Starke Wildcats

2:45 p.m. Court 1: St. Joseph Co. Bulls vs. Boon Co. Bombers #3 (3-on-3 half court)

Vigo Co. Happiness Bag Blaze vs. Tipton Co. Tigers (3-on-3 half court)

Court 2: Marion Co. ISC Whitesett Group Wildcats vs. Porter Co. Pacers

Court 3: Teams TBD

Court 4: Kosciusko Co. Panthers vs. Perry Co. Storm

Court 5: Hamilton Co. Hustlers vs. White Co. Warriors

4:00 p.m. Court 1: Tri-Creek Red Devils vs. Pulaski Co. Allstars (3-on-3 half court)

Vanderburgh Co. Wildcats vs. Porter Co. Stars (3-on-3 half court)

Court 2: Vanderburgh Co. Warriors vs. Vanderburgh Co. Panthers (3-on-3 half court)

Teams TBD (3-on-3 half court)

Court 3: Clark Co. Warriors vs. TBD

Court 4: Teams TBD

Court 5: Teams TBD

MARCH 30 CHAMPIONSHIPS

10:00 a.m. Court 1: R-O-D Jr. Hot Rods vs. Porter Co. Starters (3-on-3 half court)

Teams TBD (3-on-3 half court)

Court 2: Teams TBD

Court 3: Warrick Co. Heat vs. TBD

Court 4: Warrick Co. Wildcats vs. TBD

Court 5: Porter Co. Boilermakers vs. Boone Co. Bombers

(continued)

11:15 a.m. Court 1: Teams TBD

Court 2: Howard Co. Jr. Kats vs. Damar Red Raiders

Court 3: Teams TBD

Court 4: Teams TBD

Court 5: Perry Meridian Silver Falcons vs. Putnam Co. Trail Blazers

12:30 p.m. Court 1: Teams TBD

Court 2: Marion Co. ISC NE Eagles vs. Porter Co. Heat

Court 3: Teams TBD

Court 4: Teams TBD

Court 5: Marion Co. ISC W Tigers vs. Lake Co. Merrillville Pirates

1:45 p.m. Court 1: Teams TBD

Court 2: Marion Co. ISC NE Flam vs. Montgomery Co. Eagles

Court 3: Teams TBD

“We’re really looking forward to a competitive tournament,” said Special Olympics Indiana Director of Sports Management, Dave Breen. “These teams have worked hard to prepare for this event, and it will be exciting to see what they can do.”

Special thanks to AMVETS of Indiana for providing financial and volunteer support and to Indiana State University for hosting the 2008 Special Olympics Indiana State Basketball Tournament.

Press Release Archive