News

Community invited to celebrate Michigan torch bearers as the flame travels through the heart of the Motor City during its final stop on the road to USA Games

Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) athletes, Unified partners, educators, volunteers, and staff will gather at the Michigan State Capitol on Thursday, June 4, to advocate for an ongoing financial investment in Unified Champion Schools®, an evidence-based strategy that fosters inclusion, acceptance, and belonging for students of all abilities.

The 2026 State Summer Games presented by SpartanNash represent 52 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 2,500 athletes, eight sports, health and wellness screenings, and of course, three full days of FUN in Mount Pleasant, Michigan!

Unified sports take a major step forward in Michigan this year as the first-ever standalone Unified Day is planned for Tuesday, May 12 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU). While Unified Day has traditionally been part of the Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) State Summer Games, this year’s event marks a historic shift—bringing inclusive competition and celebration directly to MSU’s campus as its own dedicated experience.

When Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) President & CEO, Tim Hileman, first envisioned the Gamechanger Award, he wanted it to celebrate those who truly embody the heart of the organization - athletes, coaches, and volunteers who not only compete but lift others up, lead by example, and spread the mission of inclusion wherever they go.

When it came time to present the very first award, the choice was clear…

Ready, set, plunge! Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) and the Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) are thrilled to announce the launch of the 2026 Polar Plunge season, inviting Michiganders across the state to take the ultimate winter challenge — a jump into icy waters — all to support more than 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID).

Law enforcement officers across Michigan are trading their badges for running shoes and community service during Flame of Hope Week, an annual celebration organized by the Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) to benefit Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI).
Taking place September 6–12, 2025, Flame of Hope Week brings together officers, athletes, and supporters statewide through a series of community runs, fundraising events, and outreach efforts — all to support more than 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities who compete in Special Olympics Michigan programs year-round.

Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) has teamed up with the Detroit Tigers and Gallagher for the annual State Softball Tournament at the Canton Sports Center.

This inspiring, day-long event, scheduled for Friday, August 22, will bring together hundreds of athletes and coaches on 39 teams from across Michigan to compete, connect, and celebrate the spirit of inclusion through the game of softball. 

Special Olympics Michigan’s (SOMI) Unified women’s basketball teams made history in Indianapolis last week, capturing both the championship and bronze titles at the first-ever Special Olympics North America (SONA) Women’s 3x3 Basketball Tournament.

“I really felt blessed to be able to represent Michigan. It was an awesome week, one of the best of my life,” said Rose Berglund, a Kalamazoo-based SOMI athlete. “I loved getting close with both teams and being able to root and support each other.”