November 11, 2015 | North America: Michigan
Lt. Governor Calley, House Speaker Cotter Play Unified Basketball Game with SOMI Athletes
By By Kimberly Sampson
Lt. Governor Brian Calley and House Speaker Kevin Cotter play a Unified basketball game on November 6, 2015.
Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley and House Speaker Kevin Cotter traded their suits for basketball jerseys to play a Special Olympics Unified basketball game.View Story ▼Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley and House Speaker Kevin Cotter traded their suits for basketball jerseys to play a Special Olympics Unified basketball game. The game at Central Michigan University had the politicians playing alongside Special Olympics Michigan athletes and college students from their alma maters. Calley, a Michigan State University alumnus, played on the Spartans team while Cotter proudly sported Central Michigan University maroon and gold. Both teams were made up of Special Olympics Michigan athletes and college students who are involved with the SO College programs at CMU and MSU. "One of the things that I love about what a Unified team shows is that this is still real competition, and the athletes are still taking it very seriously," said Calley. "They're competing and playing to win. It's about busting the stereotypes."
About By Kimberly Sampson: Kimberly Sampson is a marketing and communications intern at Special Olympics Michigan.
October 29, 2015 | North America: Michigan
Michigan and Michigan State Play Unified Rivalry Series Thriller
By By Bre Moore
.jpg)
A shot from the amazing Unified game in Michigan.
The finish of the Michigan versus Michigan State game was one of the most thrilling and improbable in college football history, but another game played the night before was just as memorable.View Story ▼The finish of the Michigan versus Michigan State game was one of the most thrilling and improbable in college football history, but another game played the night before was just as memorable. Nearly 30 college students from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan teamed up with Special Olympics athletes to play the first Special Olympics Rivalry Series flag football game in the country on Friday, October 16. Trailing by eight points with just 15 seconds left in the game, UofM went the length of the football field to score a touchdown as time expired, cutting the Spartans' lead to 28-26. However, the Wolverines would come up just shy on the two-point conversion attempt as Michigan State prevailed with the thrilling 28-26 win. Although the game was close in score and had many remarkable plays, the evening was bigger than the game itself.
About By Bre Moore: Bre Moore is a marketing and communications intern at Special Olympics Michigan.
October 29, 2015 | North America: Michigan
Fall Games Young Athletes Festival Made Possible Thanks To Mattel
By By Kimberly Sampson
For a second year, the Young Athletes Festival marked the start of the Special Olympics Michigan State Fall Games. Members from Team Mattel were key volunteers.View Story ▼For the second straight year, the Young Athletes Festival marked the official start of the Special Olympics Michigan State Fall Games. And once again, several members from Team Mattel were among those who took time to volunteer at the event, which was held on Friday, September 25 at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest. Athletes ranging from ages two through seven participated in activities to spark growth, play, and a healthy lifestyle. Mattel's continued support and dedication helped make the State Fall State Games a special and exciting time for 64 of Special Olympics Michigan's littlest athletes. Volunteer Debbi Koppin has been working with Mattel for 20 years. Koppin and co-worker Joanell Pond have been volunteering with Special Olympics for 14 years. "You can never go wrong with a Special Olympics event," said Koppin. "Mattel's a global company, and we have employees volunteer where they are and make it local. When you work for a toy company, it just goes together."