Coaches – Carole Angerman, Carole Canady and Michelle Angerman
Coaches – Carole Angerman, Carole Canady and Michelle Angerman
Ronald Atkins, Lisa Barbour, Kristie Walls, Jackie Lutts, Edwin Ian Capacio, Allison Davidson, Michael Weinberg, Emmett Abdo, Eddie Glover, David Brent Williams
Coaches – Charles Abdo, David McCarty, Karen Aviso, Ronald Atkins
Matthew Grabowski, Joseph Rynkiewicz, Ryan Bogan, Charles Zisette, Angel Rodriguez, Brian Stulz, Jesse Rose, Carl Irvis, Mitchel Stahl, Daniel Charlton , Matthew Beckman,
Coaches – Walt Beckman, Stacy Plumbo, Linda Rose, Jon Garvey
Coach – Cynthia Charleston
Last night, at the Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Leadership Conference, individuals were recognized for their achievements within Special Olympics PA throughout the year during the annual awards banquet. Awards include Athlete of the Year, Partner of the Year, Program of the Year, etc. During this banquet, Philadelphia Beginner Swim Coach, Fran Moore named SOPA Coach of the Year! Fran has served as Aquatics Head Coach for 6 years. Every year she challenges the athletes (beginner to advanced) to step out of their comfort zone and try a new event. Over the years under Fran’s supervision and dedication we have had many athletes who started with no basic knowledge of swimming now be able to accomplish the breaststroke, backstroke, IM’s and even 800 meter freestyles. Fran is like a second mother to all the athletes. She listens when they have problems or need someone to listen. She reviews the Athlete Code of Conduct at least 4 times a season to ensure they know the rules and support one another in good sportsmanship.
Congratulations, Fran! We’re so lucky to have you as part of our Special Olympics Philadelphia family!
Click here for Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s recap of this year’s Leadership Conference Award Banquet as well as photos of all the winners!
On 
August 1st, before kickoff of the highly anticipated Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bulls match at PPL Park, Myra Ausberry named Hometown Hero.
The Hometown Hero award recognize those men and women who have made a difference in the lives of others. These heroes are ordinary people that have had an extraordinary impact through their service, dedication, knowledge and spirit. The Philadelphia Union looks to salute those heroes who have inspired people to improve the lives of their cities, towns communities and neighbors . Traditional values of teamwork, effort, accountability, trust and selflessness are the cornerstones of Philadelphia Union’s Hometown Heroes.
Myra Ausberry has volunteered countless hours as a coach in a number of sports for Special Olympics Philadelphia to some of the most underserved athletes in some of the most underserved areas of the city. She ensures that those she engages with know about the opportunities available through Special Olympics but even more, she supports their on-boarding by providing resources and personal support to them wherever needed. The energy Myra brings to her role as a coach is contagious and it’s easy to see that the athletes and families enjoy being around her. Myra’s support and commitment to her teams every season has not gone unnoticed. She has personally helped athletes from competing on a local level to be able to compete on the national stage! Her passion for Special Olympics goes beyond the seven sports she is certified to coach in the community program. Myra is also an active supporter for the Unified Sports program and is particularly known for her current coaching position with the Martin Luther King High School Unified Soccer Team.
Congratulations, Myra! We are so lucky to have such a committed volunteer!
On Saturday, August 1, 2015 members of our Martin Luther King High School Unified along with two students from Chester team played against players from Rowan University’s ‘SO College’ Unified group. a Unified New Jersey team at PPL Park prior to the Philadelphia Union game against the New York Red Bulls. Our athletes and partners arrived to a Union-fied locker room with Union jerseys with their last name on the back, shorts and socks. Once they changed, you could have easily mistaken them for the actual Philadelphia Union!
Prior to the starting whistle, some Philadelphia Union members came to wish our team luck including midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin, forward Andrew Wenger, and defender Raymond Lee. With high fives all around, our team was ready to play! Our Unified Philadelphia Union team looked great on the field. During the first half, Philadelphia Union goalkeeper, John McCarthy, joined us on the bench laughing, talking, giving advice, and of course giving high-fives to our team. Luck was with us because as the whistle blew signaling the first half was over, the score was Philadelphia Union 3 – New York Red Bulls 0. All three goals were scored by athlete, Kenny Lamont.
During half time, Philadelphia Union midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin brought manager, Jim Curtin, along to see our athletes and congratulate them on their first three goals. The second half started off strong as we were leading the New York Red Bulls Unified team 3-0. After more thrilling play by both teams, the Red Bulls scored a goal, followed by another goal from our Unified team by Denzel McFadden. The Red Bulls were able to score one more time on our team leaving the final score Philadelphia Union 4 – New York Red Bulls 2.
After the Exchange Game, our Philadelphia athletes and partners were able to enjoy the Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bulls game. During halftime, both Unified teams were brought on the field one last time to be awarded their medals. Sons of Ben (Philadelphia Union’s fan club) gave both Unified Teams roaring applause and support as all athletes and partners received their award. Following the Union/Red Bulls game, both Exchange teams and their families were invited to a reception before heading home.
Edwin Leon, Partner (left) and Angel Rose, Athlete (right) in Denver, Colorado participate in the Unified Sports All-Star Soccer Match
On Tuesday, July 28, 2015 two Northeast High School students who participate in our Interscholastic Unified Sports program, represented Philadelphia in the second annual Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Soccer Match, presented by MLS WORKS. Athlete Angel Rosa and partner Edwin Leon headed to Denver, Colorado to participate in the match as part of the East Team who competed against the West Team. The match held at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park featured a 7-v-7 East vs. West All-Star format. Each Unified Sports soccer team wore uniforms provide by ADIDAS and played a 7-v-7 match consisting of two 20-minute halves.
MLS Celebrities included MLS on-air talent Brian Dunseth who provided commentary and interviews with both players and coaches, Colorado Rapids players acted as on-hand coaches, and LA Galaxy and U.S. National Legend Landon Donovan presented the athletes and partners with medals after the game.
About Interscholastic Unified Sports
Special Olympics Pennsylvania Interscholastic Unified Sports® (IUS) is a fully-inclusive co-ed high school sports program which successfully facilitates social inclusion by bringing together a proportional number of students with and without disabilities on teams for training and competition. By providing opportunities for students with all types of disabilities and without disabilities to participate in sports meaningfully and by engaging other students in the school community, Interscholastic Unified Sports helps promote inclusion, acceptance, and respect.
The 2015 Interscholastic Unified Sports Youth Summit on June 10, 2015 was a huge success! Athletes and partners represented a few of our IUS Philadelphia schools, and they all did a great job. 
Many things were discussed during the day, and the athletes and partners had talks about what they enjoyed about the IUS program, as well as what can be added to make the program run smoother. Both the athletes and partners had fun while participating in the program, and they also made lifelong friends in the process.
They started the day by listening to two guest speakers and then split into different groups to work on team-building and ice-breaking exercises. The ideas that they gave us for next year’s IUS program were awesome, and we can’t wait to see if we can put them into practice. The energy and excitement that everyone had while participating is what really made this IUS Youth Summit such a huge success. Hearing from the kids who are directly involved with the program gives us a great opportunity to upgrade the program for the future. We would like to thank everyone who came out and spoke or helped. We would also like to extend a huge thank you to The School District of Philadelphia for its hospitality!
FOX 29 News Philadelphia | WTXF-TV
On Friday, May 29, 2015, Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Philadelphia program partnered with the School District of Philadelphia for the 3rd Annual Unified Soccer Championship held at Northeast High School, located at 1601 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia. Opening Ceremonies began at 9:30am followed by preliminary competition until about noon. After teams participated in preliminary competition, they then went head to head for the medal rounds including the Championship game! Special guest, Matt Cord, from WMMR helped start the day with an energetic, exciting Opening Ceremony.
The Championship featured teams from 11 Philadelphia high schools and Chester High School. Schools in attendance were: Abraham Lincoln, Audenried High School, Chester High School, Furness High School, George Washington High School, High School of the Future, Martin Luther King High School, Northeast High School, Sayre High School, South Philadelphia High School, and Thomas Edison High School. In addition to the soccer tournament, Creative and Performing Arts High School and Samuel Fels High School will showed their skills at bocce in some friendly competition.
Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an inclusive sports program that puts athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. This Unified Soccer elective course, developed in partnership between the School District of Philadelphia and Special Olympics Pennsylvania, includes curriculum with youth leadership components, anti-bullying elements and soccer training and competition. The course provides greater access to sports for all students, with and without disabilities.
Volunteers work with our young athletes as Philadelphia held its First Ever Young Athletes Program
Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Philadelphia held its First Ever Young Athletes Program on Sunday, April 26th at the Northeast Philadelphia YMCA for children ages 2 through 7. With a capped registration of 18 children split between the two classes, their first session was an absolute success!
This event is the first of many Philadelphia program Young Athlete 8-week programs to come with the hopes of continuing to grow throughout other areas in Philadelphia. Feedback from parents about the need for a program of this nature has been overwhelming and the program is excited to finally have it underway, with a waiting list already established for the next session!
To learn more about the Young Athletes Program and get your child on the waiting list, or to volunteer check out www.sopaphilly.org/youngathletes.
About Young Athletes
Young Athletes™ is a unique sport and play program for children with intellectual disabilities. The focus is on fun activities that are important to mental and physical growth. Children ages 2 to 7 enjoy games and activities that develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Young Athletes is an early introduction to sports and to the world of Special Olympics.
Runners in the 5 Mile Race make the Leprechaun Run a Wet Success!
The Leprechaun Run a Wet Success!
Leprechaun Run a Wet Success! It couldn’t have been any wetter for the 30th Annual Leprechaun Run, but over 500 runners and walkers braved the rain to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Philadelphia. The Leprechaun Run was held on Saturday, March 14th adjacent to the Philadelphia Art Museum and Paine’s Park.
Prior to the race, managers from the Ambler, Langhorne and Philadelphia branches of Sam’s Club presented a check to Special Olympics Pennsylvania from their fundraising efforts equaling more than $200,000! Following the Sam’s Club’s check presentation, participants were welcomed by Philadelphia athlete Lisa Barbour, who thanked participants for coming and led the crowd in reciting the Athlete Oath. Lisa kicked off the race and off they went!
Langhorne and Philadelphia branches of Sam’s Club present Special Olympics Pennsylvania a check for $200,000
The Leprechaun Run concluded with the presentation of awards to the top overall finishers and the top male and female in various age categories. Everyone left wet and with a smile on their face as they said farewell to the 30th annual Leprechaun Run.
Click here to view event photos courtesy of TriState Media Productions.
Click here to view the results for the 5 Mile Race.
Spread the Word to End the Word is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics, Best Buddies and our supporters to inspire respect and acceptance through raising the consciousness of society about the R-word – ‘retard(ed)’ – and how hurtful words and disrespect can be toward people with intellectual disabilities. Spread the Word to End the Word was founded by college students Soeren Palumbo (Notre Dame 2011) and Tim Shriver (Yale 2011) in 2009, and continues to be led by passionate young people, along with Special Olympics athletes and Best Buddies participants across the United States and in many other parts of the world.
The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools, organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support at www.r-word.org and to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The annual day of awareness is held the first Wednesday of every March. While most activities are centered on or near that annual day in March, people everywhere can help spread the word throughout their communities and schools year-round thru pledge drives, youth rallies and online activation.
Respectful and inclusive language is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual disabilities. However, much of society does not recognize the hurtful, dehumanizing and exclusive effects of the R-word.Language affects attitudes. Attitudes impact actions. To make your pledge and learn how you can Spread the Word to End the Word and start #Respect today, visit www.R-word.org.
Special Olympics PA is pleased that many of its Interscholastic Unified Sports programs will be helping to “Spread the Word” at their schools on various dates in March! #PlayUnified
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