Gator Athletics (Special Olympics)

Did you know that visitors are welcome to attend Gator games?! Check out our events calendar to get all the details for the next basketball, softball or volleyball game! The Gators would love to see you there!

If you’re itching to make your mark on the court, in the pool, or on the field, Gator Athletics is your chance. Gator Athletic programs are competitive, and athletes must follow sport rules and etiquette as well as coach direction at practices and competitions. Participants competing on Gator teams are active in Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section competitions and Special Olympics Illinois games. Gator Athletics gives NSSRA’s athletes the experience of competing against other individuals of similar abilities from nearby communities. Gator Athletics run on a different schedule than NSSRA traditional programs in order to meet deadlines established by Special Olympics Illinois.

NSSRA currently offers ten Gator Athletics programs. They are:

Basketball (Fall/Winter)
Bocce (Fall/Spring)
Bowling (All Seasons)
Golf (Summer)
Powerlifting (Winter/Spring)
Softball (Summer)
Swimming (Winter/Spring)
Tennis (Summer)
Track & Field (Spring)
Volleyball (Fall)

Gator Basketball, Softball, and Volleyball are team sports and require participants to be a minimum of 16 years old to play. All other Gator Athletics programs are considered individual sports for children, teens and adults, but Gator Bocce athletes must be at least 16 years old to participate and Gator Powerlifting is only available to participants 21 and up. Participants ages 8 and up are eligible for Gator Bowling, Golf, Swimming, Tennis and Track & Field.

Special Olympics Application for Participation

All Gator athletes must have a valid S.O. Application for Participation on file with Special Olympics Illinois. All applications must be completed and signed by a doctor to be considered valid. Applications must be valid from the start of practice through the last tournament date for each sport in which the athlete competes.

The Application for Participation can be downloaded in English or Spanish.

Download here:
Special Olympics Application for Participation (English)
Special Olympics Application for Participation (Spanish)

Have questions? Check out SO’s Medical Application Quick Facts for Parents & Guardians here.

Once complete, submit to the NSSRA office and NSSRA will file with Special Olympics Illinois.

For more information or with questions, contact Recreation Specialist Katie James at (847) 509-9400 x6833 or kjames@nssra.org.