For Immediate Release
Date:               October 11, 2006

16 Teams Vie for Special Olympics Oklahoma
State Soccer Gold Medal

Tulsa, October 11, 2006.        16 teams will compete in the Special Olympics Oklahoma State Soccer Competition at the Owasso Soccer Complex on Thursday, October 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Special Olympics athletes will break for lunch around noon. Owasso Soccer Complex is located on 116th Street North, one-half mile west of Garnett in Owasso.

“Teams from Anadarko, Catoosa, Jenks, Sand Springs, Sperry, and Wagoner will compete in the State Soccer Competition,” said John Seals, Area Services and Sports Director for Special Olympics Oklahoma. The Owasso Soccer Club is providing equipment and the use of the fields. Coaches from both the Owasso Soccer Club and the Extreme Futball Club will assist with officiating the event. “Doug Mitchell, Commissioner for Extreme Futball Club, and his son Tyler will be among the referees for the competition,” said Seals.

The competitions are among Unified® Soccer Teams. Each Unified team pairs three Special Olympics athletes with three athletes without intellectual disabilities. Unified Sports is an important program because it expands sports opportunities for athletes seeking new challenges and dramatically increases integration in the community. The Unified program enables athletes to develop friendships and an understanding of each other's capabilities through a spirit of equality and team unity.

For more information contact:
John Seals, Special Olympics Oklahoma, 918-481-1234
Robert Schaefer, Soccer Sports Director, 918-521-2145 (cell) or 918-639-6868

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Special Olympics Oklahoma
Special Olympics Oklahoma provides a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities [mental retardation]. 9,200 Special Olympics athletes participate in more than 100 competitions and events on an annual basis. Competition is offered in 15 official sports. About 1,700 coaches devote their time and experience to the athletes and thousands of volunteer opportunities are available annually. Call 918-481-1234 for more information or visit www.sook.org.

Special Olympics Oklahoma
6835 S. Canton Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74136-3429
+1 (918) 481-1234
Fax: +1 (918) 496-1515

Oklahoma City Office:
3701 SE 15th Street
Del City, Oklahoma 73115
+1 (405) 670-3456
Fax: +1 (405) 670-3456