A group of enthusiastic participants and supporters at a Special Olympics event. Two young women wearing red jerseys with “Special Olympics Play Unified” printed on them are smiling and cheering. People in green volunteer shirts and other spectators are visible in the background inside a gymnasium setting.

OSU hosts annual Special Olympics Summer Games for 40th year in a row

Monday, May 19, 2025

Media Contact: Page A Mindedahl | Communications Specialist | 405-744-9782 | page.mindedahl@okstate.edu

Athletes from across the state made their way to Stillwater this week for the 2025 Special Olympics Oklahoma Summer Games.

This marked the 56th year for the statewide event and the 40th time Oklahoma State University and the City of Stillwater have hosted it. With events spread out across campus and the community, the Summer Games continue to be one of the largest Special Olympics gatherings in the country.

Athletes competed in everything from track and field to cornhole, powerlifting, basketball, bowling, tennis and more. Unified competitions, where Special Olympics athletes compete alongside Unified partners who are OSU students, staff and faculty, were held in sports like basketball, bocce and cornhole.

“It takes a host of volunteers from across the state to successfully support Special Olympics athletes, partners, coaches and families when they come to our Stillwater campus for Summer Games,” said Dr. Jennifer Jones, director of the Center for Developmental Disabilities. “OSU's partnership with Special Olympics Oklahoma as Summer Games host for the past 40 years is one way that we, as students, faculty and staff, live out our Cowboy Culture.”

OSU has played an even bigger role in recent years. In 2022, the university launched the state’s first collegiate-level Unified program. Since then, nearly 100 adult athletes have been showing up weekly to compete in intramurals alongside OSU students, faculty and staff. These games help keep the inclusive spirit of the Summer Games alive all year long.

For many athletes, this weekend wasn’t their first time competing, and it definitely won’t be their last. Whether it’s their first year or their 15th, the Summer Games continue to offer something special: a chance to compete, connect and celebrate together.

“We have been doing Special Olympic events for 10 years. We started going through my son's school, Sapulpa High, and we have come back ever since,” said Matt McAdion, parent of athlete William. “We enjoy being here with all the other kids and enjoy them competing and just enjoying themselves. It’s not a lot of pressure either; they can just have fun.”

Special Olympics programming takes place all year long in all 50 states, supporting more than 4.4 million athletes around the world — and the excitement in Stillwater last week showed exactly why.