Sport and fitness are foundational elements of the Special Olympics movement. Through year-round sport training, competitions, and inclusive fitness opportunities, Special Olympics athletes are empowered to improve their health, build self-confidence, and experience belonging in their communities. At the heart of the Special Olympics mission is a reminder that movement does not have to come with a scoreboard or trophy to create a lasting impact. This focus on participation over performance is emphasized on National Recreational Sports and Fitness Day.
Observed annually on 22 February in the United States, National Recreational Sports and Fitness Day promotes fitness and participation in recreational sports for people of all ages and abilities. This day celebrates the importance of recreational sports and fitness in promoting health, wellness, and community engagement, especially on college campuses.
National Recreational Sports and Fitness Day is supported by NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation—an organization dedicated to advancing recreation programs across hundreds of campuses nationwide. Today, the association is comprised of thousands of leaders in the recreation and wellness space, from intramural league administrators and sport club members to fitness program facilitators.
Below, learn how the University of Wisconsin-Madison gets their campus moving through Special Olympics Unified Sports® and Unified Fitness.
Unified Sports promotes social inclusion by pairing athletes with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) on the same sports team. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, through its University Recreation & Wellbeing department and in partnership with Special Olympics Wisconsin, a passion for inclusive sports led to the formation of the Badgers for Special Olympics.
Throughout the year, the club participates in weekly Unified intramural sports leagues and competes in Regional and National NIRSA Championship Series tournaments, serving as an opportunity for athletes of all abilities to work together as a team and build relationships with their peers while staying active. When the club is not competing, they are focused on developing healthy habits and working on leadership skills during dance-focused Unified Fitness exercise sessions. Every Thursday evening, the Badgers unite in one of their state-of-the-art recreation centers for a night of fun and expressive movement!
These exercise sessions are much more than an opportunity for athletes to perform their favorite dance move. Club member and Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) athlete Annie Mulligan views these practice sessions as an opportunity for community building, centered around movement. When asked about her favorite part of Unified Fitness, Annie shared, “I love meeting new people and spending time with old friends.” “Every week is a different theme, so I get a lot of exercise and learn new moves,” Annie added. While some simply enjoy the opportunity to dance, SOWI athlete Chris Black Jelliffe, noted that he enjoys the friendly competition aspect of Unified Fitness sessions, sharing, “My favorite part is the dance battle that we do between dances.”
With extensive support by Club President, Taylor Hooyman, and Unified Sports Chair, Caleb Balmer, Unified Fitness classes are run by Riley Lynch but largely shaped by participant preferences. Athletes often pick the music theme, and other times the group dresses up in fun costumes, creating a sense of “we’re in this together.” The autonomy afforded to participants perfectly embodies the essence of recreational fitness: choosing to move in ways that feel doable and enjoyable. Fitness is designed for real lives and real schedules, meeting people where they are without the pressure of long-term commitments.
“It is so much fun to get together with my teammates and friends to dance and be active. Being part of the group and dancing and moving makes me so happy. I like to support all people and be active.”
For those that may feel uncertain about fitness routines within the traditional gym setting, exercise classes can serve as an accessible alternative. Group exercise classes, specifically, provide participants with structure and guidance from a fitness professional, allowing them to focus on what really matters: getting their bodies moving! The class format has also provided the club with a unique opportunity to play an active role in their peers’ fitness journeys. This sentiment was captured by SOWI athlete Alison Mushett, who shared, “I like being active with friends because they make me feel happy!”
This joy is exactly what fitness programming aims to cultivate, ensuring athletes feel supported in maximizing their health and wellbeing by developing the knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to lead a healthy and active life. These experiences also reflect Special Olympics commitment to inclusive health—meaning that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can take full advantage of the same health opportunities available to people without IDD.
Join Special Olympics, NIRSA, and the Badgers for Special Olympics in celebrating National Recreational Sports and Fitness Day. This day honors the idea that fitness is not exclusive—it belongs to anyone willing to play, move, and dance like nobody is watching! From championship games to evening walks in the park, recreational movement reminds us that being active is for everybody and every ability.
Special Olympics and NIRSA have been programmatic partners since 2015. If you want to learn more or get your college involved in Special Olympics, visit the Special Olympics college programming webpage or email socollege@specialolympics.org.
