Villanova University to Host Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival for 36th Consecutive Year

VILLANOVA, Pa. (October 17, 2024) - Special Olympics Pennsylvania's (SOPA) annual Fall Festival is returning to Villanova University November 1-3, marking the 36^th consecutive year Villanova has hosted the largest student-run Special Olympics event in the world. More than 1,000 athletes, 400 coaches and 5,000 volunteers representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will participate, including a record 1,100 volunteers from Villanova's Inclusion Crew - nearly double last year's number.

Fall Festival is led by Villanova's Special Olympics Committee, which consists of more than 100 student members, and is assisted by SOPA. This year's Fall Festival theme, "Through brave exploration, discover your true destination!" encourages celebration of every individual's unique journey and discovery of their own personal destinations.

"The essence of Fall Fest is the presence of unity, which we see in the athletes who high-five every one of their competitors without fail, the volunteers who shower the athletes with encouragement and our students who plan all aspects of the weekend tirelessly for 10 months, truly embodying the Augustinian values of friendship and humility," said Steve Koch, associate director for leadership programs in the Office of Student Involvement. "Fall Fest is a highlight reel of accomplishment, bravery, jubilation and togetherness that Villanova treasures the opportunity to host, and we are grateful that Special Olympics Pennsylvania empowers us to do so."

The three-day event will feature competitions in bocce, flag football, long-distance running/walking, powerlifting, soccer and volleyball. Competitions in each sport except powerlifting begin on Friday, November 1 at 1:30 p.m. and continue throughout the weekend. The powerlifting competition begins at 2 p.m. on Friday and wraps up on Saturday afternoon. Opening Ceremonies will be held at the Finneran Pavilion at 7:30 p.m. on Friday with doors open to the public at 6:45 p.m.

For the first time, the Dixon Center on Villanova's Cabrini Campus - which will also be the location for the bocce competition - will be utilized for the Victory Jamboree. The Jamboree, set to be held on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., will feature high and low-sensory activity options for the athletes. The expansion of low-sensory zones this year will also be a focal point throughout all of campus, with support from the Allegheny Health Network. Additionally, athletes will have the opportunity to take advantage of Fall Festival programs promoting health and wellness, such as Healthy Habits and Success stations, the Young Athletes program and the longstanding Healthy Athletes initiative, which features programs such as FUNfitness, Healthy Hearing, Health Promotion, Opening Eyes, Special Smiles, Strong Minds and Fit Feet. This year will also feature dual Closing Celebrations on Sunday at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., with food and final remarks at each.

Five thousand volunteers will serve in numerous capacities at the event, serving as officials, athlete escorts, award presenters and in administrative support services. Additional volunteers are welcome and spectators are encouraged to visit competition venues on or near campus to support the athletes. For additional information, please email [email protected].

About Special Olympics Pennsylvania: Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University's Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges-the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation's top universities, Villanova supports its students' intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.