EDITORS/NEW DIRECTORS: Bocce is pronounced “BAH-chee” and a radio actuality from Herb Reeves is available for download at http://www.troy.edu/news/radios. A transcript of the actuality follows end of release.

TROY – Troy University will host the Special Olympics Alabama State Games May 11 -13 for about 700 athletes with mental retardation and some 350 coaches and chaperons.

It marks the first time TROY has hosted Special Olympics in more than 20 years.

Competitions in 10 sports will be conducted on the Troy Campus and at venues throughout the city of Troy.

The athletes will compete in bocce, equestrian, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, softball, track and field, bowling, golf and power lifting.

“The athletes are very excited to be coming to TROY,” said Dean of Students Herbert Reeves, who is coordinating the three-day event.

The opening ceremonies, during which Special Olympics Torch will be brought into Troy by law enforcement officers from throughout Alabama, begins in Movie Gallery Veterans Memorial Stadium at 6:30 p.m. The ceremonies will include a parade of athletes, the Special Olympics Oath, the lighting of the Flame of Hope and special entertainment.

The games begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday at various venues in Troy: aquatics will take place at the Troy Sportsplex, bocce at the Charles Henderson High School indoor practice facility, bowling at Woodmere Lanes, equestrian at the Pike Cattlemen’s Association, golf at Trojan Oaks Golf Course, gymnastics at the Troy Sportsplex, power lifting in the first-floor Trojan Tower weight room, softball at the Trojan Softball Field, tennis at the Jimmy Lunsford Tennis Complex and track and field events are slated for the Trojan Track. Additionally, “Healthy Athletes” will be on the fourth floor of Trojan Tower and the Olympic Town will be housed at the upper practice fields.

A Victory Dance is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Sartain Hall, and closing ceremonies – including a remembrance for Special Olympians who have died during the year – will begin at 9 a.m. May 13 in Sartain Hall.

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Actuality – Herb Reeves
23 seconds

We’re just extremely excited that Special Olympics have given us the opportunity to host this statewide event for all the special Olympic athletes and look forward to working with them. We’ve been working with them for a number of months now to put this together and it’s taken a lot people – a lot of people here at the University, a lot of people in the community and a lot of people statewide to put it together, and we’re just looking forward to all this culminating next weekend on May 11 through the 13th.