During the Southern Utah University day event at the Utah State Capitol on Jan. 30, Special Olympics Utah, the ShowUp Foundation and SUU announced their three-year agreement to host the Special Olympics Utah Summer Games on SUU’s campus.
As part of the agreement, Special Olympics Utah will work with the university to host the event through the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games. The foundation will then work with SUU and Special Olympics Utah to provide community engagement, partnership opportunities and volunteer support.
At the ceremony, speakers signed a memorandum of understanding to finalize the agreement. These speakers included Utah First Lady Abby Cox, SUU President Mindy Benson, Special Olympics Utah CEO Scott Weaver and Jon Oglesby, the executive director of the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games.
“The Special Olympics Utah Summer Games will offer our friends with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to engage in competition in a world-class venue,” stated Cox. “Bringing this event to southern Utah is a natural expansion of the inclusion revolution happening in our state and will provide all our athletes with increased opportunities to connect, compete and showcase their talents.”
As one of the top sporting competitions in the state with more than 40 events, the games draw a variety of teams and athletes to Cedar City.
The Olympics-style festival has been managed at SUU since 1986 with a high of over 50,000 spectators, 10,182 participants and 1,000 volunteers in attendance. Partnerships are viewed through how they accomplish the unique goals of promoting educational opportunities, growing economic development and advancing healthy lifestyles.
“We are thrilled to welcome Special Olympics Utah to Southern Utah University for their summer games starting in 2025,” shared Benson. “This exciting partnership will lead to expanded opportunities, increased statewide collaboration and a high-quality experience for all participating athletes and fans.”
Story: Anna Mower
Photo courtesy of SUU
Editor: Anna Mower
news@suunews.net
