Youth athletes from across the state gather March 29; the adult tournaments are April 5-6
Special Olympics Indiana’s annual state basketball tournaments return to the hardwood with athletes and Unified partners from county programs across the state taking part during a pair of upcoming weekends.
The Indiana Youth Basketball Tournament is Saturday, March 29, at the University of Indianapolis. Competition is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and an Opening Ceremony begins at noon. Special Olympics Indiana conducts the only Special Olympics basketball tournament in the world dedicated solely to youth players.
The adult tournaments are April 5-6 at the Pacers Athletic Center at Grand Park. The two-day format features separate divisions for men’s, women’s and Unified Sports. There also is an individual skills competition both days. Unified Sports brings together individuals with and without intellectual disabilities on the same teams.
The Men’s and Women’s State Basketball Tournaments is one of the largest Special Olympics basketball tournament in North America with more than 900 athletes involved.
Sectional tournaments take place this coming weekend. Once those are complete, brackets for the state tournaments will be available at SOIndiana.org/baseketball-
Basketball is the third-largest sport that Special Olympics Indiana offers. In all, more than 2,000 athletes and Unified Partners participate across the state.
All Special Olympics Indiana State Basketball Tournaments are open to media and free to spectators. Learn more about how to volunteer at the men’s and women’s events by visiting SOIndiana.org/volunteer.