2006 USA National Games Closing Ceremonies Bank of America Donates US$500,000 to Support Team USA for 2007 World Games; Country Star Jo Dee Messina Announces Upcoming Team USA Coaches Kurt Warner, quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, was honored to return to Iowa, where he grew up and played collegiate athletics, to serve as the emcee for Closing Ceremonies. [All photos by Ryan Eades] • Suzanne Thompson was chosen as the family representative to speak on behalf of families at the Closing Ceremonies. With just one day's notice, the mother of Special Olympics Illinois athlete Caitlin Cox crafted and delivered an address that electrified the entire audience, receiving a standing ovation.       < Read Suzanne Thompson's speech > After a week of great competition, compelling special events and new friendships, the first-ever USA National Games came to a close. Thousands of people — including more than 3,000 Special Olympics athletes — filled the Hilton Coliseum on Iowa State University's campus for one last, spectacular evening. The emcee for the event was National Football League quarterback and Super Bowl XXXIV Most Valuable Player Kurt Warner, who grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and played football for the University of Northern Iowa. Multi-platinum country recording artist Jo Dee Messina performed several songs, to the delight of the assembled crowd. Messina has taken on the role of the Team USA spokesperson and will serve as an honorary member of Team USA as it prepares for the next Special Olympics World Games. The Special Olympics flag is ceremoniously lowered to signify the end of the USA National Games. Special Olympics North America Managing Director Bob Gobrecht spoke as the ceremonies came to a close, encouraging all of the athletes, volunteers and other Games participants to return to their homes and spread the word about the transformative power of Special Olympics. "You have the power to continue this amazing week. Go back home and continue what you've started here in Ames. You have the power," said Gobrecht. "With that I call these 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games closed." Bank of America Donates US$500,000 to support Special Olympics Team USA Country music star Jo Dee Messina, a Team USA spokesperson, in action performing at the Closing Ceremonies. Messina was a presence during much of the Games, taking a break to perform in America's premier Independence Day holiday celebration, "A Capitol Fourth" (televised on PBS) in Washington, DC. Messina sang with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Erich Kunzel. Special Olympics announced that Bank of America has donated US$500,000 to support Special Olympics Team USA, a group of approximately 400 athletes and 170 coaches selected to represent all 50 United States in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Brothers Jason and Jesse Pease were two of the athletes who spoke at Closing Ceremonies about their experience at the National Games. They competed in Unified Sports golf, winning silver — Jason, 29, as partner accompanying Jesse, 24, an athlete with Special Olympics Iowa. Jesse is shown here reenacting his game-saving shot. The announcement was made by Messina on the closing day of the 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games in Ames, Iowa, at which Special Olympics also revealed the Team USA head coaches for individual sports. Bank of America is a long-standing supporter of Special Olympics. The company's donation to Team USA will be used to assist in the coaching and training of Team USA athletes as well as transporting the delegation to Shanghai for the World Summer Games. Additionally, Bank of America employees will volunteer at various local Team USA events. Holding the "Flame of Hope" aloft, Special Olympics North America Managing Director Bob Gobrecht exhorts spectators to take the power of Special Olympics home with them. "Team USA athletes share the same ideals that guide Bank of America associates — dedication, performance and teamwork," said Andrew Plepler, President, Bank of America Charitable Foundation. "We are proud to support Special Olympic athletes, and their skill, determination and courage, as they pursue excellence at the 2007 Games in China." "Special Olympics is extremely grateful for Bank of America's support and contribution. Their generosity affords the country's most inspiring athletes with an opportunity to show the world the true abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities at the highest level of Special Olympics competition," said Gobrecht. "We are also thrilled to have such a talented group of coaches to help these fine athletes perform to their personal best." Team USA selected the top coaches from various US Programs to serve as Head Coaches for Individual Sports where their duties will include organizing, preparing, and providing technical and administrative support to the athletes and coaches of their respective sport as they prepare for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. 2007 Team USA Head Coaches For Individual Sports Aquatics: Debra "Debbie" Doman (North California) Athletics: Catherine "Cathy" Harper (Illinois) Bocce: Margaret Ann "Maggie" Dittburner (Illinois) Bowling: Dennis Story (Oklahoma) Cycling: Cindi Hart (Indiana) Equestrian: Julie Coon (Kentucky) Golf: Debra Schultz (Michigan) Gymnastics: Renee Manworren (Texas) Powerlifting: Chaka Sutton (Colorado) Roller Skating: Jack Muransky (Ohio) Sailing: Jack Yoes (Texas) Tennis: Nancy Hoekstra (Illinois) At the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, Team USA will compete in 12 individual sports: athletics, aquatics, bocce, bowling, cycling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, roller skating, sailing, and tennis, as well as four team sports: basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball. The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. The event will mark the first time the World Summer Games will be held in Asia, and only the second time they will be held outside the United States. In addition to some 7,000 athletes, Special Olympics expects the 2007 World Summer Games to draw 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, volunteers, spectators and journalists from every continent. Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels will compete in 20 different Olympic-type sports including aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, football (soccer), tennis and volleyball.