Download - Behind the Scenes: MD Special Olympics
Wednesday, June 4, 6 a.m. The Landscape Services crew prepares athle3c fields for the games. Grass is mowed and baselines are painted. The soccer field is prepped for bocce.
Wednesday, June 4, 10 a.m. Event and Conference Services (ECS) begins se@ng up SECU Arena for the Opening Ceremonies. The three-‐day set up involves laying carpet on the en3re arena floor, as well as pu@ng together the concourse and stage.
Wednesday, June 4, 4 p.m. Print Services delivers 350 Summer Games Event Guides to help guests follow the compe33ons. Art Services puts the final touches on the customized Special Olympics OneCards that athletes use during the games.
Thursday, June 5, 2 p.m. Housing check-‐in begins for the 1,000 people who stay at TU during the games. Dorm rooms have been reconfigured for convenience and accessibility. Some athletes say living away from home during the games helps them become more self-‐reliant.
Friday, June 6, 10 a.m. The first compe33on, cheerleading, begins in the Towson Center. More than 1,300 athletes compete throughout the weekend. The goal for athletes is “win, but if you can’t win be brave in the aUempt.”
“Win, but if you can’t win be brave in the attempt.”
Friday, June 6, 4 p.m. Dinner service begins for athletes and their families. Over the course of the next three days, 180 Dining Services staff members prepare and serve 4,300 meals and 3,000 box lunches. TU chefs work with Special Olympics nutri3onists to develop a customized menu for the games.
Friday, June 6, 4:30 p.m. Environmental Health & Safety conducts a planned fire drill for Special Olympics athletes. One athlete comes out of her room and confidently heads upstairs before being directed to the lobby. Overall, the event goes smoothly and there are lots of smiles as athletes help each other outside.
Friday, June 6, 7:30 p.m. Event technicians ready the sound and ligh3ng as speakers prepare to take the stage.
Friday, June 6, 7:30 p.m. TU Police and ECS-‐contracted paramedics are on hand to monitor safety at the event.
Friday, June 6, 7:30 p.m. President Maravene Loeschke high-‐fives athletes ages 8 – 63 as they enter the arena to cheers and applause.
Friday, June 6, 7:30 p.m. ECS staff film as the event begins and Loeschke accepts an award of recogni3on on behalf of TU. The presenter says, “Thanks to our great partnership, Special Olympics of Maryland has become synonymous with Towson University.”
Friday, June 6, 11 p.m. ECS staff break down the event and do a quick debrief. TU staff will be back at it in less than seven hours.
Saturday, June 7, 6 a.m. ShuUle Service for the day begins, las3ng un3l 10 p.m. Parking & Transporta3on provides approximately 4,500 rides during the games. Bus driver Willie Jones says it’s unique event for drivers. “It’s nice to see the camaraderie among the athletes – they really support one another and cheer each other on.”
Saturday, June 7, 8:30 a.m. The track and field compe33on starts. St. Mary’s County resident Jerry GaUon competes in track, shot put and long shot. Blind since birth, Jerry’s coach runs alongside him with direc3ons to help him stay in his lane.
Sunday, June 8, 2 p.m. The swimming compe33on comes to an end. Acer ge@ng out of the pool, compe3tor Brandi Kugler (boUom right) immediately says, “Can I come back next year?” Brandi finally made it to the 2014 games acer trying for five years. Her coach says, “She hasn’t stopped talking about the Towson games for the past six months!”
Sunday, June 8, 3 p.m. The last event concludes. Awards are given out to each of the approximately 1,300 athletes.