2019 Annual Report

50TH ANNIVERSARY (1969-2019)
One year after taking part in the global observation of Special Olympics’ 50th anniversary in
Chicago, Special Olympics Indiana celebrated its own milestone year in 2019 with a variety of
special projects and events honoring our past and celebrating our future.
Among the favorites of our athletes and volunteers were
the Joy of Inclusion figure (pictured at left), unveiled
at Summer Games and appearing throughout the year;
commemorative 50th anniversary medals and uniform
shirts provided to all Summer Games participants; custom
50th anniversary trading cards honoring some of the
heroes and champions of our past; and several themed
trading pins paying homage to some of our top sponsors
and partners.
Fifty years ago, the world began to change for the better
for millions of people with intellectual disabilities and
for all those who love them. From a backyard summer camp to a global campaign, Special
Olympics has been changing lives and attitudes since 1968—and Indiana has been a part of
the movement from the very beginning.
After attending those inaugural International Games at Soldier Field, a small group led by
ISU professors Dr. Tom Songster and Dr. Judy Campbell returned home and organized the
very first Indiana Summer Games, held June 6, 1969 at Bush Stadium and The Riviera Club in
Indianapolis. The organization was officially born soon after, and in the 50 years since, dozens
of visionary leaders — like the organization’s first president, Dennis Schmidt — and countless
dedicated volunteers and supporters have worked tirelessly to end discrimination against
and to empower thousands upon thousands of people with intellectual disabilities while
cultivating one of the leading Special Olympics programs anywhere in the world.
Dr. Tom Songster, Dennis Schmidt and Former President Mike Furnish
at the 2019 Indiana Summer Games
SEASON NAMESAKE ATHLETE WINNER COUNTY
Winter Games Paula & Duncan Myers Nick Parker Lake
Women's Basketball Dan TeGrotenhuis Leanne Bettenhausen Porter
Men's Basketball Bill Benner Johnny Brooking Lawrence
Summer Games Dr. Judy Campbell Katie Shaw Marion West
Summer Games Dr. Tom Songster Ryan Bourgeois DeKalb
Summer Games Al Barker Shelby Woodsmall Montgomery-Parke
Summer Games John Lentz Robert Seevers Ripley, Ohio &
Dearborn
EKS Games The McClamroch Family Romano Ritenour DeKalb
EKS Games
50TH ANNIVERSARY
MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNERS
Chip Essig, Jim Porter &
Sharon Hollowell
Jason Plante
EKS Games The Erskine Family Joseph Diamond Lake
Tippecanoe
Bowling Mike Davis Ashley Marks Shelby
Bowling Chris Morrison Drew Mattingly Ripley, Ohio &
Dearborn
Special Olympics Indiana 18 Special Olympics Indiana 19