925 SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN ATHLETES FROM 50 COUNTIES AROUND THE STATE TO COMPETE AT STATE SOCCER & CYCLING FINALS!

(Warren, Mich.) October 5, 2010 – The leaves are changing colors and the weather is cooling down. The arrival of fall brings the Special Olympics Michigan State Soccer and Cycling Finals. About 925 Special Olympics Michigan athletes and 300 coaches/chaperones and 300 volunteers from around the state will gather Oct. 15 and 16 in Warren for the 2010 Soccer and Cycling Finals. The double-venue competition will take place at Halmich Park and the GM Tech Center in Warren.

The State Soccer and Cycling Finals is one of seven state-level competitions held annually for Special Olympics Michigan athletes. There are also more than 400 annual local and regional competitions each year.

This event offers a wide variety of opportunities to the media. Special Olympics Michigan athletes, volunteers and coaches will be available for interviews and photographs. This is the 30th year the General Motors Men’s Club has hosted this tournament. Miss Oakland County Elizabeth Hawthorne will be signing autographs and greeting athletes both days.

This year athletes will be coming from Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Calhoun, Cass, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Genesee, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ionia, Iosco, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Leelanau, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Oakland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Ottawa, Roscommon, Saginaw, Saint Clair, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Van Buren, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.

Soccer competition begins at Halmich Park located at 3001 E. 13 Mile Rd. in Warren (located off of 13 Mile Road between Ryan and Dequindre). The Cycling Event will be held at the GM Tech Center located at 30100 Mound Rd. in Warren.

Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating purposes. This event is free and open to the public.

Event Schedule and Locations:
Friday October 15
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
· Registration Check-in – Halmich Park Pavilion
3:00 p.m.
· Coaches Meeting – Halmich Park Pavilion
3:30 p.m.
· Soccer Competition Begins – Halmich Park
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
· Dinner – Central Cafeteria (VEC Building)
7:30 p.m.
· Opening Ceremonies – Central Cafeteria (VEC Building)
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
· Dance – Central Cafeteria (VEC Building)

Saturday, October 16
6:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
· Breakfast – at hotels
8:00 a.m.
· Cycling Registration – General Motors Tech Center
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
· Soccer Tournament – Halmich Park Fields
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
· Fun Fitness Program – Halmich Park Fields
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
· Special Events – Halmich Park Fields
9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
· Individual Skills Test – Halmich Park Fields
11 a.m. – Noon
· Young Athletes Program – Halmich Park Fields
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
· Lunch – Halmich Park Pavilion (wristbands/badges are meal ticket)

In Play! Magazine