Severe weather rolling through southeast Michigan led to the shortening of softball and golf competitions at the 2019 State Fall Games, but the 1,600 athletes in attendance still finished the weekend strong!
The Games began on Friday, September 20, with a Young Athletes festival and the Opening Ceremony, which was emceed by WXYZ's Ann Marie LaFlamme. During the Ceremony, Special Olympics Michigan athlete James Tippins from Saginaw in Area 22 was named the 2019 Perkins/Cottee Sportsmanship Award winner. William Rotunno from Area 9, the 2018 recipient of the Perkins/Cottee award, lit the Flame of Hope to signify the official start of the Games.
Over the next two days, 1,684 athletes from all across the lower peninsula, and as far north as the eastern Upper Peninsula, competed in golf, cycling, flag football, softball, kayaking and soccer.
The 2019 State Fall Games was proudly presented by Real Estate One Charitable Foundation.