INSIDE SOSC: Motivating for Athletes, Inspiring for Fans

The most underrated part of Special Olympics competitions is Fans in the Stands. Athletes love the opportunity to compete in front of cheering and adoring fans, but it has tremendous impact on their parents.

“There’s nothing better than people cheering for your kid,” says Karren McClenahan, mother of track athlete Kelly.

While athletes and parents appreciate fans cheering, fans always leave feeling like they were part of a very special event. Dan Farwell was first a fan, then an event volunteer and now a Healthy Athletes clinical director. He remembers vividly what he experienced at his first event: “There is an amazing transformation that happens in your heart when you see these athletes compete with pure, unabridged joy. At the end of the day, you realize it’s been one of the best days of your life.”

Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops, school clubs, teams, businesses, churches and community service organizations show up to cheer for athletes. They bring signs and pom pons and wear their shirts representing their group. Won’t you join us in the stands at one of the following Santa Clarita & Tri-Valley competitions?

October 7
Santa Clarita Regional Tennis Competition
Opening Ceremony: 12:30pm; Competition: 1-5 p.m.*
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tri-Valley Regional Soccer Competition
Opening Ceremony: 9 a.m.; Competition: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.*
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

November 11-12
Fall Games
MORE INFORMATION

*Awards immediately following completion of competition

For a complete list of events throughout our nine Southern California regions, visit our calendar.

Inside the SOSC is a blog written by staff member Tracy McDannald. It is a more feature-style approach to looking inside what makes Special Olympics Southern California so unique, so special. It is meant to explore the people and their stories. One word at a time.

This post was supplied by the Santa Clarita & Tri-Valley region.