Fall Healthy Athletes® Activities
10.13.25
By: Special Olympics Connecticut
Annual Fall Festival Unites Athletes for Skills, Team Competition in Multiple Sports
This year's Unified Sports® Fall Festival presented by Mohegan Sun spanned two weekends and offered more than 1,200 SOCT athletes and Unified Sports® partners the opportunity to vie for ribbons and medals in individual and Unified team competition in a variety of sports. These sports included bocce at Savin Rock in West Haven, croquet at the Ocean House in Rhode Island, golf at Sleeping Giant Golf Course in Hamden, sailing at the Wadawanuck Club in Stonington and softball at the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Club in East Hartford. Supported by generous sponsors and an abundance of caring volunteers comprised of coworkers, family members, philanthropic organizations and friends, the event was characterized by community, love and the joy of sport!
Athletes participating in the Fall Festival also benefited from the Healthy Athletes activities that were offered during the event. Performance Stations were offered at our softball venue where 153 athletes and 62 coaches, Unified partners and family members learned about competition readiness, nutrition, hydration, and physical activity to link the importance of health to athletic performance.
At our bocce venue, 50 athletes learned about Healthy Habits / Strong Minds through activities that promote mental and emotional well-being and included positive self-talk and motivational affirmations, on and off the field.
Athletes Enjoy Taekwondo, Yoga and Zumba at Annual Fall Fitness Festival
Our Annual Fall Fitness Festival hosted by The Hartford took place on September 28th. Sixty-two (62) athletes and an additional 27 coaches, parents and friends participated in the event which took place at Liam E. McGee Memorial Park on the campus of The Hartford. The day kicked off with a warm welcome from SOCT Board Chair Charlie McLaughlin, and athletes to participating in a variety of fitness stations followed.
Fitness station activities included a powerful Taekwondo session presented by Nic Miller; calming, restorative Yoga guided by friends from Yoga in Our City and an energized Zumba session led by SOCT Board Member Lisa Kovlakas.
Thanks to all who brought their enthusiasm and energy to make it a day for fitness, inclusion and teamwork. Shout out to Katrina, Michaela, Alyssa, Abigail and the wonderful students from Quinnipiac University's Interprofessional Education Program for helping to make the day such a success!
