Oilers and Cowboys and
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Dolphins, Oh My!
Several famous friends of SOTX made it to Maverick Stadium
on Friday morning for the ceremonious Law Enforcement
Torch Run (LETR) entrance and Summer Games press
conference. Barron Wortham, Cliff Odom, Byron Williams,
Larry Mallory and Roosevelt Collins may be unfamiliar to
some, but die-hard football fans know them well.
Wortham, a retired Houston Oiler and Dallas Cowboy, started
volunteering with SOTX four years ago and has helped out
with concessions, track and basketball. For him, volunteering
is the best way to check out the athletes in action.
“They’re inspiring,”Wortham beamed. “They’re having a good
time; they’re having fun. That’s what it’s all about; that’s what
competition should be about.”
Collins agreed. The former Miami Dolphin, Dallas Cowboy
and Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frog got
involved with the movement 15 years ago and knows first
hand what individuals with intellectual disabilities can do.
His adopted brother has Down Syndrome and is a college
graduate.
“For me, [getting involved] was all about him and making
sure he feels comfortable,” Collins explained. “The best thing
you can do is something for someone who can’t do anything
for you.”
Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.
7715 Chevy Chase Drive, Suite 120
Austin, TX 78752
1.800.876.5646
www.specialolympicstexas.org
SOTX All-Star 2nd Edition
SOTX Rocks the House
Torch Runners and cheerleaders
lined the track and stadium infield,
Jaclyn Jordan of Lamar I.S.D. in Arlington is an all-star athlete. and cheers from families,friends and
The 17-year-old won a gold medal in the Ball Throw for fans erupted in the stands as more
Distance on Friday morning, just after being interviewed by than 2,700 athletes from throughout
the DFW NBC affiliate for a story about Summer Games. She Texas marched into UTA Maverick
loves watching television, so it was the perfect highlight! Stadium for Opening Ceremonies
Jordan has been involved with SOTX for five years. Her on Friday night. Amarillo athlete
favorite aspects of Games are “the compassion of her Patti Ballew and CBS 11’s Ginger
teammates and the challenge - being competitive.” Her mom Allen served as the evening’s
also pointed out that SOTX has benefited Jaclyn, explaining, emcees, introducing announcers,
“she’s more outgoing; she is comfortable because she is speakers and special guests. After
around other people like her. Everyone here is special and welcoming all delegations during
we love it.” the Parade of Athletes, World Games athletes and coaches
participating in next month’s Games in Greece were
The Numbers Are In announced and recognized with a special entrance.
Check out the number of athletes competing in the During the program, Margaret Larsen, SOTX President
2011 Summer Games! and CEO, revved up the crowd. Sandra Dautel led the
Athletics 1,265 Volunteer Oath, Amanda Shaw-Knight led the Officials Oath
Basketball 1,034 and Patti Ballew led the Athlete Oath before the torch was
Cycling 54 ceremoniously delivered into the stadium for the Torch Run
Equestrian 145 by Colleyville Police Chief Steve Dye, Captain Levin Fuller
Gymnastics 34 from TDCJ Clemens Unit and athlete Valerie Gutierrez of the
Soccer 113 Mary’s House team. Following the lighting of the cauldron
Tennis 80 by Clayton Collier from Allen Police Department and athlete
Johnathan St. John from Arlington I.S.D., Austin Police Chief
Athlete Count 2,725
Art Acevedo and Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton officially
declared the Games open.
Before wrapping up the festivities, the crowd was surprised
with a performance by Estrellitas de Dios, a dance group
Facebook consisting of very talented athletes from El Paso’s St. Pius
www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsTX delegation. Also, athletes had an opportunity to test out some
dance moves during a few songs that closed out the evening,
Twitter
all good practice for Saturday night’s Victory
www.twitter.com/SOTexas
Dance. We look forward to seeing you there
YouTube to celebrate your successes... and good luck in
www.youtube.com/SpecialOlympicsTexas your competition on Saturday!
Delivering Support Summer Games Schedule In It for the Long Haul
Summer Games sponsors and law enforcement agencies
offered their show of support on Friday morning, presenting
Saturday, May 28
checks totaling more than $2.6 million to Special Olympics
Texas. Contributions were made by Walmart,TD Ameritrade, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tennis
UTA Tennis Center
Coca-Cola Refreshments, Food Town, H-E-B Tournament of
Champions Charitable Trust,Texas Roadhouse,Tom Thumb/ 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Athletics
UTA Maverick Stadium
Randalls, GEO Group,TDCJ and the Law Enforcement Torch
Run. Many thanks to these generous supporters, as well as 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cycling
UTA – Parking Lot #49
the rest of our wonderful Summer Games sponsors, that
made these Games possible! 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Basketball
UTA - The MAC
PE Building
Shackelford Junior High School
Gymnastics
All Smiles 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Webb Elementary School
Members of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR)
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Soccer
were all smiles at Thursday’s dinner and awards …Seven athletes, four coaches and three SUVs; that’s what it
UTA Soccer Fields
ceremony held at K.C. Hall. The torch runners enjoyed took for the Los Fresnos delegation to get to Summer Games.
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wellness Park Oh yeah, it also took a winning attitude and eight hours
a delicious barbecue meal with all the fixins’, and UTA – The MAC (2nd Floor) of drive time to get from the southernmost tip of Texas to
mixing and mingling with other law enforcement Arlington - talk about ‘going the distance’!
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Athlete Village
officers from around the state. They also posed for UTA – The MAC
pictures and spent some time getting to know Special The team is small but powerful; they’re also committed to the
(outside grounds)
spirit of the Games and giving it all they’ve got to win the gold.
Olympics Texas athletes. 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Victory Dance Competing at the state level also brings a sense of pride and
UTA Maverick Stadium accomplishment to their hometown.

We Salute Our 2011 Summer Games Sponsors! Sunday, May 29

8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Athletics
“It’s important to represent the [Los Fresnos] district and
the community,” Mauricio Rodriguez, a Los Fresnos coach
and special education teacher in the Los Fresnos C.I.S.D.
UTA Maverick Stadium explained.
Presenting Sponsors: Gold Medal Sponsors: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Basketball
This weekend, they’ll represent the Rio Grande Valley area
Ally UTA - The MAC
PE Building in basketball and athletics (track and field). The group also
American Eurocopter competes in soccer and bowling events at the area level.
Approach Resources Shackelford Junior High School
Brandt 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Soccer
CVS Caremark UTA Soccer Fields
Nike
Northrop Grumman

Co-Sponsors: Circle of Champions Sponsor:

Reddy Ice High Fives for Souvenirs!
Texas Roadhouse Last call for merchandise is today, Saturday, May 28:
Star-Telegram UPS
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. UTA Maverick Stadium
Torchbearer Sponsors: Blue Ribbon Sponsors: Concession Stand
Chartis
Atmos Energy Cigna 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Athlete Village
Bell Helicopter Hotels for Hope UTA – The MAC
Durham School Services KPMG (outside grounds)
Essilor Siemens 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Victory Dance
Lockheed Martin Toyota of Fort Worth UTA Maverick Stadium
Mattel Special Friends of SOTX also sells select styles in our online store at
Prime Controls
Southwest Dairy Farmers
Special Olympics Texas:
Arlington Kiwanis Club
http://shop.sotx.org/. Sign up for our eNewsletter
(www.sotx.org) to receive monthly merchandise coupons
ALPs Reception
Ft. Worth Association of Petroleum - Athlete Leadership Program (ALPs) participants meet for
Sysco and discounts. a reception on Thursday night to share ideas and receive
Landmen
University of Texas Arlington Golden Corral Restaurant recognition for being leaders in their community.