Athletics

Spring/Summer (March through June)

Email Contact:

db5515585@msn.com

Overview:

The sport of athletics encourages athletes of all abilities and ages to compete at their optimum level. Through the track-and-field-based athletics training program, participants can develop total fitness to compete in any sport. As with all Special Olympics sports, athletics offers athletes the opportunity to learn through skill development and competitive settings and to be involved in large social settings.

Equipment:

SOMD-SMC supplies track shoes along with the other necessary equipment needed to perform the field and track events. Athletes can purchase or bring their own track shoes but needs to check with the head coach prior to purchasing equipment.

Uniform Requirements:

SOMD-SMC will provide athletes with uniforms but they are only worn for qualifiers and state competition. You must be wearing running shoes or sneakers to be on the track or the field. Athletes should also be wearing athletic clothes (examples: shorts or track pants or sweat pants, t-shirt or sweat shirt. Hat and gloves if it’s cold). NO JEANS!

Practice Overview:

The sport of athletics encourages athletes of all abilities and ages to compete at their optimum level. Through the track-and-field-based athletics training program, participants can develop total fitness to compete in any sport. As with all Special Olympics sports, athletics offers athletes the opportunity to learn through skill development and competitive settings and to be involved in large social settings.

Training:

N/A

Location:

Great Mils High School football field, 21130 Great Mills Rd, Great Mills, MD 20634

Timing:

Saturdays from 9:00AM to 11:00AM, starting early April and each week through the Saturday prior to Summer Games. No practice on the day of the Spring Games.

Activities:

Practice begins with warm-ups.

Eligibility for State Competition:

There are a required number of qualifiers needed to attend the state competition. Some of those can be the required qualifiers announced throughout the season. Each athlete must also attend at least 8 practice sessions to be qualified to compete at the State competition. The athletes and families will receive notification of all qualifiers.

State Competition:

Summer Games is the state competition for the Athletics Program. Summer Games are held at Towson University-Johnny Unitas Stadium , Auburn Dr., Towson, MD 21252 on the first weekend of June annually.

Participation in Other SOMD-SMC Sports:

Athletics athletes are not allowed to participate in other SOMD-SMC sports during the summer (Summer Games) season due to regulations posted for SOMD-SMC.

Athlete Participation Contract:

Not Required

Housing Requirements for State Competition:

Athletes participating in Summer Games will be housed for up to two nights in dormitories at Towson University along with chaperones and the coaching staff, at a ratio of 3 athletes per chaperone/coach.

Other Considerations:

None

Volunteers:

We always need help for a successful season. We are a 100% volunteer coaching and management staff. Parents who wish to help, please register as volunteers. (See information at the bottom of this page).

Only registered SOMD-SMC athletes and registered volunteers are allowed in the training area. Parents and spectators who are not registered as volunteers MUST watch from outside the training area.

Anyone with an intellectual disability age 7 and older are invited to become a Special Olympics athlete. ATHETES MUST BE AGE 8 PRIOR TO BEING ALLOWED TO COMPLETE. Athletes age 7 are allowed to train with the other athletes but just cannot compete.

All athletes/volunteers must sign up for sport training prior to attending practice. Please sign up online as soon as possible so that we can make plans for coaching needs.