Partnership built through sport and service
The Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee initiated the Special Olympics partnership at the 2011 NCAA Convention, and the partnership officially launched Aug. 1, 2011. Its purpose is to enhance the lives of Division III student-athletes and Special Olympics athletes through mutual learning, community recognition and greater awareness of Special Olympics programs and services.
Through this partnership, Division III student-athletes are encouraged to participate in existing Special Olympics events, create their own events or support local Special Olympics organizations in ways that fit their campus, conference or community.
Ways to support Special Olympics
Division III student-athletes support Special Olympics through a wide range of service activities. These opportunities may include Unified Sports events, bowling events, fundraising efforts and other campus or community-based programming.
Join an existing Special Olympics event in your local community.
Host a campus or conference event that brings Division III student-athletes and Special Olympics athletes together.
Raise awareness, fundraise or volunteer with a local Special Olympics program.
Creating meaningful experiences through inclusion
The partnership gives student-athletes the opportunity to engage with Special Olympics athletes while demonstrating the citizenship, service and comprehensive learning values central to the Division III experience. These shared experiences help build relationships, strengthen communities and celebrate the power of sport to bring people together.
15 years of Division III and Special Olympics
Since the partnership was established in 2011, more than 110,000 Division III student-athletes and 160,000 Special Olympics athletes have participated in Unified experiences. Together, they have contributed more than 650,000 hours of service and raised more than $600,000 to support inclusion through sport.
Division III student-athletes involved
Special Olympics athletes involved
Hours of service contributed
Raised to support inclusion through sport
Special Olympics resources
Use these resources to learn more about the partnership, plan an event or connect with Special Olympics programming.
Share your Special Olympics impact
Division III conferences and campuses are encouraged to report their Special Olympics activity and share stories, photos and videos from their events. These submissions help highlight the impact of the Division III and Special Olympics partnership and celebrate the student-athletes, campuses and communities bringing inclusion through sport to life.