Slippery Rock Named Unified Sports Center of Excellence

Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) held its first annual Western Pennsylvania Unified Youth Summit on November 15th, during which it recognized Slippery Rock University as a “Unified Sports Center of Excellence.”

SlipperyRock University graduate students from the Adapted Physical Activity program manage Unified Champion School strategies in eight high schools in Mercer, Butler and Lawrence Counties.  They serve as coaches for the winter Unified Indoor Bocce and spring Unified Track and Field programs, and work with youth leaders on whole school engagement.  Additionally, Slippery Rock is piloting a Unified Fitness initiative on campus which pairs college students with adult Special Olympics athletes for twice-a-week structured trainings.

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is a comprehensive program of the Unified Schools strategy that combines Unified Sports, Youth Leadership and Advocacy, and Whole School Engagement within the school environment to generate awareness and education activities that promote inclusion and reach the majority of the school population.  Click here to learn more.

Pictured (from left to right):  Slippery Rock University representatives Dr. James A. Preston -- Assistant to the Dean, College of Education; Wendy Fagan – Instructor, Adapted Physical Activity Program and VIP Sports Camp and Clinic Director; Dr. Keith Dils, Ed.D -- Dean, College of Education; Dr. Robert Arnhold -- Director of the Center on Disability and Health; and Matt Aaron – Special Olympics PA President and CEO.