Student-athletes from 16 Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) will come together on Thursday, May 18 to participate in Unified Field Day, a Special Olympics-styled track and field event.
Unified Field Day is from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on the campus of IUPUI. It will feature 768 participants competing in a variety of track events, including walking, assisted walking, wheelchair, meter runs, hurdles and relays. The field events include the long jump, ball throws, mini javelin, and soccer. There also will be a fun zone and other events in the end zones.
The one-day event is designed to showcase the skills of hundreds of hardworking and dedicated students, said Nathan Vedder, Special Projects Lead for the district’s Unified Student Supports (USS) Department.
“Our goal is to bring together students, parents, staff and community partners to empower our student-athletes to pursue their dreams,” said Vedder, who will join over 35 volunteers at the event. “Our department strives to meet the needs of the whole student. This event empowers students by elevating teachers and community partners through the experiences of Unified Sports, Unified Clubs, and Unified PE.”
Schedule of Events
9:30 a.m., Gates Open: Parents, community and students arrive.
10 a.m., Warm-up Events, Center Field: Join Special Olympics staff and volunteers for fun warm-up exercises.
10:28 a.m., Opening Ceremony
10:45 a.m., Field Events: Long jump, ball throws, mini javelin and soccer
10:45 a.m., Fun Zone Opens: Sensory Walk, Hula-Hoops, Connect Four, and Bubbles
10:45 a.m., Activity Tents Open: Special Olympics crafts, Sensory Items, and Quiet Zone.
10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Lunch
11 a.m., Track Events: 100-meter runs, 25- and 100-meter walk, hurdles, relay, assisted relay, and wheelchair slalom.
12:30 p.m., Dismissal Begins
1 p.m., All students back on bus
Community Partners for Unified Field Day include Special Olympics of Indiana,
The Akers Group, IUPUI, and the Indy Eleven.
Parking is available in Lot 59 (Entrance near W. New York St. and Barnhill Drive.)