Special Olympics Oregon stage a comeback with the help of Providence Park

Portland, OR – It was a relatively small affair if you were in the stands of Providence Park last weekend. There was very little promotion done. Mainly filled with friends, family and volunteers, the Key Bank area was the only section open and far from full. This was the first tournament put on by Special Olympics Oregon since their finances fell apart in the fall of 2017 – it wasn’t meant to be huge. Instead it was meant to signal the organization was finally on stable ground financially and could begin hosting competitions again.

When Special Olympics Oregon shut down, the organization’s absence was felt deep. For most of the athletes who participated, Special Olympics was more than a sport’s program. It was a place where a community could gather and celebrate all athletic abilities. It provided a space where they didn’t have to explain – they could just play.

“It was a bummer” Dennis, a track and field athlete for Special Olympics Oregon, said when asked how he felt about Regional and State competitions being cancelled. While he understood it was due to economics, he was particularly sad that the end of the season dance was also cancelled. Another blow to athletes who looked forward to reconnecting with old friends and partying with their opponents before the competitions began.

Although some sports were allowed to continue practice, with no end competitions, the joy was lost. “I know participation is way down,” Special Olympics Track and Field coach Sheryl Sussex explained, “Many athletes don’t want to do it if they can’t go to State and see the friends they’ve made over the years.”

Providence Park hosted the first Invitational Soccer Tournament for Special Olympics Oregon since the fall of 2017.

So last weekend at Providence Park was a bigger deal than the attendance reflected. Friday night featured a concert, with the band We Three performing. Saturday saw opening ceremonies that included the lighting of the torch. Each team that played was visibly excited to be a part of the tournament. Brian McKrola, an athlete on the Grant County Miners, couldn’t wait to get his picture taken with the torch. Prodding friends and family until they got their cameras out, he bubbled with enthusiasm. The real importance of this tournament was that it allowed Special Olympics athletes in Oregon to play again.

Providence Park was integral to the success of the tournament, loaning Special Olympics Oregon: their field, locker rooms, athletic trainers, park staff and equipment. On more than one occasion staff were understanding and patient with athletes who lost identification, were unsure of where to go or indulgent of those who really just wanted an ice pack, even though they weren’t hurt. Perhaps unintentionally, this invitational also brought two states closer together.

Alongside the athletes from Oregon played a few teams from Washington. Clark County brought two teams to compete, one of which included athletes who won the National 7 v 7 soccer title for Unified Teams at last year’s USA Games. “This is the first time I can remember working with Special Olympics Oregon,” said Kat Vickers, Head Coach of Clark County Special Olympics Soccer. “I’m glad the organization is getting back on its feet and that we got to take part in the games. This was a well organized tournament, the brackets were well done and the field was a lot of fun to play on.”

A week earlier, Timber Joey walked on to the practice field at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary in Vancouver, Washington surprising the Clark County athletes. Although they live in Washington, most are avid supporters of the Timbers and Thorns, taking team bonding trips to the matches at Providence Park.

“Timber Joey is really nice,” said athlete Justin Heil, a Clark County Crusader, as several other athletes around him nodded. “He said that he might even cut the log for us. Well, he said he’d think about it.” Justin added with a smile. They all agreed that getting to meet Timber Joey was a major highlight.

The tournament ended on Saturday afternoon with all the teams gathered for an awards ceremony on the top deck of the Key Bank area of the stadium. Cheers erupted for each athlete as they came forward to be recognized. There was a spirit of celebration that made it the perfect ending to the Invitational and the perfect beginning for a renewed Special Olympics Oregon.