Looking Ahead: 2020 Big Bear Polar Plunge
By Christine Baik and Tracy McDannald It’s almost time to pull out those festive costumes and speedos—even if the forecast says otherwise. Special Olympics Southern ...
From Student to Mentor
Mike Dyer wants to help Special Olympics Southern California athletes reach the same thrills he experienced during his time as an athlete. A right shoulder injury in 2018 and a pair of surgeries may have cut his time on the basketball court short, but Mike had a plan in place years prior to transition into ...
2019 Year in Review
As 2020 quickly approaches, let's take a look back at 10 highlights involving Special Olympics Southern California and its athletes from the past year. 10. Championship events Sports help Special Olympics athletes level the playing field in their quest to be treated equally, so why not start the list there? It was another successful year ...
San Diego Law Enforcement Take Chiefs Challenge
By Marvin Poquiz This past September, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) won the latest Special Olympics San Diego region’s Chiefs Challenge. This means the law enforcement agency earned the right to carry the Flame of Hope in all of the San Diego region’s competitions for the next 12 months. What is the ...
SOSC Coach Teaches ‘The L.A. Way’
By Ryan Lefever In the city of angels, there’s one thing that’s making a difference in a special way. Cristian Ortiz, 39, is the head coach for the LAFC Special Olympics team and the L.A. Galaxy Unified soccer team. He has coached with Special Olympics for six years, and he also is an adaptive physical ...
INSIDE SOSC: SoCal, Minnesota Athletes Unify on Football Field
Special Olympics Unified flag football teams from Southern California and Minnesota were treated to quite the NFL experience Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. Three hours prior to the Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings’ contest, the Unified teams squared off on the gridiron in 5-on-5 action (three athletes and two Unified partners). ...
Schuberts Make Volleyball A Family Affair
By Emma Lee When walking into the gym at this year’s Special Olympics Southern California Fall Games, your eyes were bound to find the Santa Clarita volleyball team, as cheers of excitement frequently arose. A large portion of those cheers were produced by the Schubert twins, Ryan and Taylor. Ryan, an athlete, began playing volleyball ...
The Athlete Oath: Rooted in Effort
A look at how Special Olympics Southern California athletes interpret the Special Olympics athlete oath.
The Minnesota Vikings & LA Chargers to Host Unified Flag Football Game
Watch Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement compete to raise money for Special Olympics LONG BEACH, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2019) — Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement will take to the gridiron to compete in the Unified LA Chargers vs Minnesota Vikings flag football game on December 15 at Dignity Health Sports Park. This exhibition ...
2019 Fall Games – Day 2 Recap
Thrilling competitions closed out the 2019 Special Olympics Southern California Fall Games on Sunday. More than 800 athletes brought their 'A' game in hopes of winning medals and ribbons in golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. Golf was hosted at David L. Baker Golf Course while all other sports took place at nearby Fountain Valley ...
What They’re Saying at the 2019 Fall Games – Day 2
Another Special Olympics Southern California Fall Games in the books, and the two-day event created many memories that will last a lifetime. Here's what athletes, coaches, volunteers and various others had to say Sunday at the Fountain Valley Recreation Center and Sports Park: “A great two-day experience. In watching the athletes, I’m seeing a lot ...