Keesler hosts Mississippi Special Olympics May 9-10

Published May 6, 2014
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affiars

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- This weekend, Team Keesler rolls out the red carpet to welcome participants in the Mississippi Special Olympics Summer Games.

"This year we'll host approximately 900 athletes and the whole event will require approximately 3,000 volunteers," said Chaplain (Maj.) Robert Monagle, who serves as project officer along with Capt. Joshua Tate, 335th Training Squadron. "We're blessed at Keesler to have so many hard-working people dedicated to making this event is a success. We have some volunteers who've been involved in Special Olympics since it was first hosted at Keesler 28 years ago."

Other local organizations and corporate sponsors add their efforts to make the annual competition possible.

Here's a schedule of the weekend events.

May 9
9-10 a.m., student dormitory decoration judging.
12:30-1 p.m., Mississippi Law Enforcement Torch Run arrives on base.
6:30-7:30 p.m., reception for corporate sponsors and commanders, Bay Breeze Event Center.
8-10 p.m., opening ceremonies, Levitow Training Support Facility parade field. Team Keesler members and their families are invited to attend.

May 10
9-11 a.m., wheelchair events, north Triangle Track.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., golf, Bay Breeze Golf Course.
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., bocce, north Triangle Track.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., bowling, Gaudé Lanes; track and field events, Triangle Track.
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., volleyball, south Triangle Track.
9:30 a.m. to noon, powerlifting, Triangle Fitness Center.
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., aquatics, Biloxi Natatorium.
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., sailing, Biloxi Yacht Club.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Olympic Village, parade field.
Noon to 2 p.m., tennis clinic, parade field.
1:30-4 p.m., running and standing long jumps, north Triangle Track; shot put, southeast of Triangle Track; softball and tennis ball throws, softball fields.
7:30-8 p.m., closing ceremonies, parade field.
8-9:45 p.m., movie, Welch Theater.
8-11 p.m., victory dance, parade field.

May 11
8 a.m. to noon, athletes depart.