Special Olympics Illinois athletes, Unified Partners and coaches from across the state will gather at four high schools on Saturday, February 18 for the first ever Illinois High School Association/Special Olympics Illinois Regional Unified Basketball Tournament. Each of the locations will begin with an Opening Ceremony, followed immediately by competition.
The Host High Schools Are:
North Boone High School -- 17823 Poplar Grove Rd, Poplar Grove, IL 61065 *8:45 Start Time
(High Schools Participating: North Boone HS, Hononegah HS, Vernon Hills HS, Princeton HS, Streator HS, LaSalle Peru HS)
Metea High School -- 1801 N Eola Rd, Aurora, IL 60502 *8:45 am Start Time
(High Schools Participating: Metea HS, Waubonsie HS, McHenry HS, Plano HS, Downers Grove South HS)
Andrew High School -- 9001 W 171st St, Tinley Park, IL 60487 *11:45 am Start Time
(High Schools Participating: Andrew HS, Thornton HS, Homewood Flossmoor HS, Kankakee HS)
Special Olympics Unified Sports is a fast-growing initiative that brings people with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team to compete. Over 500,000 people worldwide take part in Unified Sports, which helps to break down stereotypes about people with intellectual and promote social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences.
Unified® sports include players with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team competing against other Unified teams. Teams are comprised of people of similar age and ability.
Special Olympics Illinois and the IHSA have joined forces for the 2016-2107 school year and they share a common goal to promote athletic opportunities for student athletes.
The IHSA and Special Olympics Illinois jointly offer Unified Bass Fishing and now, Unified Basketball.
To compete in the tournament, athletes must have trained for at least eight weeks. Senior/Male and High School teams qualified through one of nine district tournaments in the state. All teams will play at least two games, and the tournament will be played according to IHSA rules.
The public is welcome to attend any or all of these free tournaments.
About Special Olympics Illinois
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for over 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 20,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at
www.soill.org.