Special Olympics

History of Special Olympics

The concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960's when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for individuals with intellectual disabilties. The first national meet was held at Soldier Field in Chicago in 1968 for 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada. Shortly thereafter, Ohio began a Special Olympics program under the name of the Ohio Athletic Association. Special Olympics Ohio became incorporated in 1975. Today, there are Special Olympics programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 150 different countries around the world.

History of Special Olympics in Crawford County

Athletes with developmental disabilties in Crawford County are known as the Crawford County Chargers and have been competing since in the late 1970's.

Records indicate that the Chargers have won Special Olympics Ohio Championships for many years and in many different sports as follows:

Unified Volleyball: 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Traditional Volleyball: 1983, 1990, 1991, 1993, and 2012.

Modified Volleyball: 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982,and 1985.

National Champions: 2004, and Finished 4th in 2005.

Bowling: 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, and 1998.

Unified Softball: 1994 and 1999

Unified Golf: 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, and 2007

Unified Tennis: 1999

Unified Bowling: 1999 and 2006

Basketball: 1992

Runner-Up status as follows:

Unified Volleyball: 1995, 1997, and 1998

Modified Volleyball: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1992, and 1994

Unified Golf:1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005

Unified Tennis: 1997, and 1998

Unified Bowling: 1997 and 2005

Basketball: 1989, 1998, and 2000

Softball: 1982, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2014 State Runner-up, and 4th at State in 2017

Current Special Olympics in Crawford County

Goals of Special Olympics are:

  • Increase athlete awareness and involvement
  • Increase participation for individuals with developmental disabilities
  • To expand the number and types of athletic opportunities available
  • To publicly promote the strengths and abilties of its' athletes
  • To emphasize the health and wellness benefits of athletics
  • To afford Special Olympics athletes an opportunity to compete at a league level, in addition to the high qualiry regional and state events already provided by Special Olympics Ohio

Current Sports

  • Athletics (Track & Field)
  • Bowling
  • Basketball
  • Bocce
  • Volleyball
  • Softball
  • Golf
  • Flag Football

Contact

Kelly Hufford, Special Olympics Coordinator

1630 E. Southern Ave., Suite 101

Bucyrus, OH 44820

Phone: 419-569-0714

Email: khufford@clearwatercog.org