News

Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) is proud to announce the selection of 45 athletes and Unified partners, as well as 15 coaches who have been invited to attend the official Team Michigan Training Camp in preparation for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games set to take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These athletes represent the best of Michigan, chosen based on their outstanding performance and dedication at statewide qualifying events.

Nearly 2,500 athletes from across the state will gather on the campus of Central Michigan University from May 29 – May 31 to compete in the 2025 Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) Summer Games, marking the 51st year of one of the largest and most inspiring inclusive sporting events in Michigan.

Supported by a total delegation of more than 3,200—including athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and chaperones —SOMI State Summer Games represent the spirit of inclusion, courage, and determination that defines the Special Olympics movement. Athletes will compete in eight Olympic-style sports, including athletics (track & field), bocce, horseshoes, gymnastics, pickleball, powerlifting, swimming, and volleyball.

May 29 – May 31, 2025

Central Michigan University - Mount Pleasant, Michigan

The 2025 State Summer Games presented by SpartanNash represent 51 years of in-person competition on the campus of Central Michigan University. Join us for the biggest Special Olympics Michigan event of the year, featuring nearly 4,000 athletes, eight sports, health and wellness screenings, and of course, three full days of FUN in Mount Pleasant, Michigan!

RESOURCES

Detailed Event Schedule
CMU Campus Event Map
Mt. Pleasant lodging/hotels

GENERAL SCHEDULE
A complete schedule of events, including competition times and locations, can be viewed here. For your individual sports, please click on the appropriate tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character program and the Ann Arbor Sports Commission is proud to announce an exciting partnership with Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) to host an inclusive cheerleading and dance clinic. This event aims to promote athletic skills, teamwork, and the spirit of inclusion by bringing together NAIA student-athletes and SOMI participants for a day of learning, collaboration, and fun.

For many SOMI athletes, the clinic will offer an introduction to both the sports of cheerleading and dance. The opportunity to partner with athletes at the college level, offers an intimate and relatable look at the sport, while in turn offering collegiate athletes a glimpse into the world of Unified Sports – which features athletes with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) participating on the same team.

The excitement is building as 85 teams from across Michigan prepare to compete for championship medals at the Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) State Basketball Finals. The tournament will take place on Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22, bringing together athletes from all over the state for two days of spirited competition.

This year’s event will feature Unified competition, where 38 teams—comprising athletes with and without intellectual disabilities (ID)—will showcase their skills alongside 13 women’s teams competing at Calvin University. Meanwhile, 34 men’s teams will take the court at the Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, where over 70 skills athletes will also participate, building confidence and learning basketball fundamentals.

pecial Olympics Michigan (SOMI) is thrilled to announce that long-time poly hockey athlete, Scott Decker, has been selected to serve as an assistant coach for The Original Six Matchup featuring a number of Detroit Red Wings legends and NHL Hall of Fame inductees. This honor recognizes Decker’s dedication to the sport, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to Special Olympics athletes.

A decorated poly hockey player from Grosse Pointe Woods, 38-year-old Decker has been an integral part of SOMI for nearly a decade, earning two state championships in 2023 and 2024 for the sport. Decker is best known amongst players and coaches for his pre-game motivational speeches, inspiring teams to push themselves out of their comfort zones in pursuit of victory. In addition to poly hockey, Decker participates in basketball, bowling, and track and field.

MILAN, Italy  –  Nearly 150 Special Olympics USA delegates, including four Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) athletes and one coach, will arrive in Italy on Friday, March 7 to compete internationally at the Special Olympics World Games Turin 2025

Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) is thrilled to announce the 2025 State Winter Games, to be held February 5–7 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. This exciting event will bring together more 1,000 participants, including 721 athletes, 177 coaches, 15 Unified partners, and 221 chaperones, to compete in five winter sports.

Participating Tim Hortons U.S. restaurants in Michigan will serve Special Olympics Donuts from Jan. 31 – Feb. 2 with 100% of profits donated to support Special Olympics athletes.

The Tims Special Olympics Donut is a delicious chocolate cake donut dipped in vanilla-flavored icing, topped with rainbow sprinkles and a dollop of whipped topping in the middle. It will be sold at participating Tims restaurants in Michigan, plus in New York State, and Ohio from Jan. 31 – Feb. 2.

Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) is excited to announce the kickoff of the 2025 Polar Plunge season, presented by the Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). This year’s Plunge season promises to be more exhilarating than ever as brave participants make a splash to support athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) across the state.

Jacob Nelson, a 19-year-old athlete from Chelsea, Michigan, is proving that there's no limit to what Special Olympics athletes can achieve. After years of excelling in sports like bocce and snowshoeing, Jacob has taken on a new role in the sports community—one that allows him to stay close to the action while giving back in a different way: by becoming a referee.

Following a successful inaugural year in 2023, Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) is excited to announce the return of the November Classic, set to take place in the Metro-Detroit area on November 8, 2024. The event will feature state-level competition for more than 1,100 athletes and Unified partners from across Michigan.