TableofContents
GAMESINFORMATION
Dates
ProgramCheck-InandOpeningCeremonies:Friday,May15,2026
Competition:Saturday,May16–Sunday,May17,2026
ProgramCheck-Out:Sunday,May17,2026
Locations
Athletics(Track&Field),presentedbyJackson–LipscombAcademyTrackatReese SmithAthleticComplex,1027CaldwellLane,Nashville,TN37204
Bocce(Traditional&Unified)–LipscombUniversityIntramuralField,1University ParkDrive,Nashville,TN37204
Pickleball(Traditional&Unified)–LipscombUniversityStudentActivitiesCenter,1 UniversityParkDrive,Nashville,TN37204
Powerlifting–LipscombAcademyWeightRoom,3901GrannyWhitePike,Nashville, TN37204
Swimming–LocationTBD
Soccer(Traditional&Unified)–RobertA.RingIndoorSoccerArena,1878Downs Boulevard,Franklin,TN37064
UnifiedVolleyball–LipscombAcademyGymnasium,3901GrannyWhitePike, Nashville,TN,37024
OlympicTown/HealthyAthletes–LipscombUniversityBennettCampusCenter,1 UniversityParkDrive,Nashville,TN37204
OpeningCeremonies,presentedbyLifepointHealth–AllenArena,4021Granny WhitePike,Nashville,TN37204
EventInformation
Thefollowingeventswillbeoffered:
● Athletics(Traditional&Unified),presentedbyJackson
● Bocce(Traditional&Unified)–Doubles&Teams,presentedbyShadyRays
● Pickleball(Traditional&Unified)–Doubles
● Powerlifting-BenchPress,Deadlift,Squat,&Combined
● Soccer-Traditional5v5&Unified7v7
● Swimming
● UnifiedVolleyball
● HealthyAthletes
● YoungandJuniorAthletes
● AthleteLeadership
ProgramCheck-In
Programswillcheck-inwithSOTNStafffrom12pm–2pminClub1891(secondfloor oftheBennettCampusCenter)onFriday,May15.Eachprogramisrequiredtosenda representativetothismeeting.
AssessmentInformation
HeadofDelegation-$50
● IncludesFridayLunch,FridayDinner,SaturdayBreakfast,SaturdayLunch, SaturdayDinner,SundayBreakfast,&SundayLunch
Coaches&Participants-$50
● IncludesFridayDinner,SaturdayBreakfast,SaturdayLunch,SaturdayDinner, SundayBreakfast,&SundayLunch
ExtraDelegates-$75
● IncludesFridayDinner,SaturdayBreakfast,SaturdayLunch,SaturdayDinner, SundayBreakfast,&SundayLunch
Credentials
Alldelegationmemberswillbeprovidedwithcredentials.Theyarerequiredtoalways bewornbyHODsandcoaches,whereasathletesandUnifiedpartnerscantakethem offduringcompetition.
DelegationMeals
● FridayDinner–LipscombDiningHall
● SaturdayBreakfast–LipscombDiningHall
● SaturdayLunch–JerseyMike’satCompetitionVenues/OlympicTown
● SaturdayDinner–LipscombDiningHall
● SundayBreakfast–LipscombDiningHall
● SundayLunch–TBDatCompetitionVenues/OlympicTown
Programswillusetheircredentialsasaccesstoeachmeal.Non-registered, non-credentialedmemberswillnotbeallowedinsideLipscombDiningHallatanytime duetospacelimitations.
Theme&BannerParade
Thethemeforthisyear’sStateSummerGamesis“BetterFutures.BuiltTogether.” Ifyouhavebannersthatyouwishtobeenteredintothecontest,pleasewritethearea nameandbannercarriersontheback.Nocommerciallymadebannerswillbe accepted.Bannerdesignsmaybenolargerthan3’highx6’wide.Twoathletesanda coachshouldbedesignatedtocarrythebanner.
AthleteLeadership
SpecialOlympicsTennesseeathleteswillbetakingonleadershiprolesthroughoutthe entiretyofSummerGames,inrolessuchas:
● Awardsstagingandpresentations
● FacilitatingtheHealthyAthletesarea
● EventOperations
● YoungandJuniorAthletes
● Media
AnathletedoesNOTNEEDtobecompetinginaSummerGamessporttobean athleteleader.
Awards
Awardswilltakeplaceinvariouslocations:Swimmingawardsatthevenue;Soccer awardsatthevenue;Trackawardsatthevenue;andBocce,Pickleball,Powerlifting, andVolleyballawardsinCollinsAuditorium.Therewillbeadetailedscheduleofsport specificawardsprovidedclosertothegames;tomakesurethatawardsflow smoothly,weaskthatyoudonotshowuptoCollinsAuditoriumpriortoyour scheduledtime.
EquipmentRequirements
Equipmentnecessaryforcompetitionwillbeprovidedateachvenue.Allathletesand Unifiedpartnersshouldbeincompetitionappropriateattire;jeans,cowboyboots, sandals,crocs,etc.arenotappropriateforcompetitionandmustnotbeworn.All non-medicaljewelry,includingApplewatches,mustberemovedduringcompetition.
● Pickleballplayersshouldbringtheirownpaddle
● Volleyballteamsshouldbringtheirownballstowarmupbutgameballswillbe provided
● Powerliftersmustsupplytheirownweightbelt
Physicals
EachHeadCoachmusthavecopiesoftheirathletes’physicalsonhand,eitherinpaper formoradigitalcopy,throughouttheentiretyoftheGames.
Medical/EmergencyInformation
MedicalStationswillbenearcompetitionvenueswithonefloatingmedicalstaff memberforallvenuesoncampus.Incaseofemergency,pleaseimmediatelynotify yourvenuemanager,EventOperationsat(615)861-9414,and,ifnecessary,alert campussecurity(615)966-7600.CampusSecuritywilldispatchappropriate emergencyservicestothelocationoftheemergency.
GENERALINFORMATION
AccesstoDelegation
Housingandcertainareasofcompetitionvenuesareonlyforregisteredmembersof thedelegation.Spectatorsandfamilieswillnothaveaccesstothedormsatanytime; theyshouldutilizethedesignatedareasofthecompetitionvenuestowatch.
OlympicTown
Athletes,Unifiedpartners,coaches,HODs,spectators,andfamilieswillhaveaccessto OlympicTownonbothSaturdayandSunday.Vendors,sponsors,andsupportersof SpecialOlympicsTennesseewillbelocatedherewithinteractivegames,giveaways, andotheropportunitiesforafunexperience.UnifiedChampionSchoolswilloffer unifiedactivitiesforathletesandpartnersattheUnifiedChampionSchoolstentin OlympicTown.Inaddition,designatedUnifiedYouthLeadersfromseveralUnified ChampionSchoolswillparticipateinleadershipexperiencesatvariouseventvenues. Inaddition,SOTNmerchandisewillbeavailableforpurchaseatOlympicTown.
HealthyAthletes
HealthyAthleteswillofferfivedifferenthealthscreeningsforallathletesandUnified partners.Participantsareencouragedtogothroughthescreeningsinordertostay healthyandcompeteatanoptimallevel.Pleaseclickonthelinksbelowtosignupfor aslotaheadoftheGames.Thefollowingdisciplineswillbeoffered:
● SpecialSmilesMouthguards(Saturdayonly)
● OpeningEyes(Saturdayonly)
● FitFeet(SaturdayandSunday)
● HealthyHearing(SaturdayandSunday)
● StrongMinds(SaturdayandSunday)
WewouldliketorecognizeRenaissanceDental,Play4Joy,TitansMedicalStaff, DentalDentalofTN,LifepointHealth,WellpointHealth,andPacificDentalServices fortheirpartnership.WewouldalsoliketothankCellutrex,VibrantMeals,and OptimizeUfortheircontinuedsupportinallthingshydration,nutrition,and post-competitionrecoverythroughrefuelstations.
EventCommunication
AllHODsandcoacheswithvalidcellphonenumberswillbeaddedtotheeventtext chain.Alleventupdatesandnecessaryemergencyinformationwillbesentviathis textchain.Eachdelegationisresponsibleforgettingtheinformationsenttotheir participants,families,andspectators.
GamesSchedule
Friday,May15th
12:00pm-2:00pm:AdvancePerson’sMeeting,1891ClubintheBennettCampusCenter
3:00pm:PowerliftingWeigh-Ins,AcademyGym
4:00pm-6:00pm:DinnerWindow,BennettCampusCenterSecondFloor
4:15pm-6:30pm:MerchandiseSales,AllenArena
6:15pm:OpeningCeremoniesTunnelLine-up,AllenArenaFloor
6:45pm-8:30pm:OpeningCeremonies,presentedbyLifepointHealth,AllenArena
Saturday,May16th
6:00am-8:00am:BreakfastWindow,BennettCampusCenterSecondFloor
8:00am:VariousCompetitionsBegin,CompetitionVenues
9:00am:RemainingCompetitionsBegin,CompetitionVenues
9:00am-3:00pm:HealthyAthletes,BennettCampusCenterFirstFloor
9:00am-10:15am:YoungAthletesIntrotoSports,IntramuralField
10:45am-12pm:JuniorAthletesSoccer,IntramuralField
10:45am-5:00pm:MerchandiseSales,OlympicTownatBisonSquare
11:00am-1:00pm:LunchWindow,AtVenuesorOlympicTown
11:00am-5:00pm:OlympicTownOpen,BisonSquare
5:30pm-7:30pm:DinnerWindow,BennettCampusCenterSecondFloor
Sunday,May17th
6:00am-8:00am:BreakfastWindow,BennettCampusCenterSecondFloor
8:00am:VariousCompetitionsBegin,CompetitionVenues
9:00am:RemainingCompetitionsBegin,CompetitionVenues
9:00am-1:00pm:HealthyAthletes,BennettCampusCenterFirstFloor
10:00am-1:00pm:OlympicTownOpen,BisonSquare
10:00am-1:00pm:MerchandiseSales,OlympicTownatBisonSquare
11:am-1:00pm:LunchWindow,AtVenuesorOlympicTown
2:00pm:DelegationCheck-Out,1891Club
SpecialOlympicsTennesseePolicies
Alcohol&SmokePolicy
Thereisabsolutelynoconsumptionofalcoholbeveragesorsmoking,vaping,chewing oruseoftobaccoproductsallowedatanytimeduringaSpecialOlympicsevent. LipscombUniversity&Academyareanosmokingcampus;youmustnotdosowhile onthegrounds.
Pool&HotTubPolicy
Allrecreationalswimminginpoolsorhottubsisstrictlyprohibitedwhileparticipating inanySpecialOlympicsevent,includingtraveltoandfromthatevent.
15-PassengerVanPolicy
SpecialOlympicsprohibitstheuseof15-passengervansfortransportationtoand fromanySpecialOlympicsevent.
ClassAForms
Allcoaches,Unifiedpartnersovertheageof18,andanyothermembersthattravel withthedelegation mustsubmitaClassA.
CoachingRequirements
Coachesneedtobeuptodateonthefollowing:
● ClassA
● ProtectiveBehaviors
● ConcussionTraining
● UnifiedTraining(ifapplicable)
● Sport-SpecificTraining
Roles&Requirements
Athletes
Athletesattendingthegamesmustcommittogivingtheirbesteffort,treatingothers withrespect,listeningtocoachesandSOTNstaff,andrepresentingtheir team/programinthebestlight.
UnifiedPartners
UnifiedpartnersattendingthegamesmustcommittobeingteammatestoSOTN athletes,listeningtocoachesandSOTNstaff,representingtheirteam/programinthe bestlight,andbeingstewardsoftheUnifiedprinciples.
Coaches
Coachesattendingthegamesmustacceptandcarryoutthefollowingresponsibilities whileprovidingforthegeneralwelfare,safety,health,andwell-beingofeachSpecial Olympicsathleteundertheirsupervision:
● Assurancethatcredentialsarewornatalltimes
● Reportingtocompetitionareasatthepropertimes
● Assistanceintakingfulladvantageofspecialevents
● Attendingcoachesmeetings
● KnowingofficialSOTNsportrules
● Representingtheirteam/programinthebestlight
● EnforcingallSOTNpolicieswithintheirteam/program
Travel&Housing
Travel
Programsareresponsibleforalltravelarrangementsandexpensesfortheir delegationstoandfromtheGames.PleasenotifyJeffandJoanneifanypartofthe delegationisrunninglateatanytimetotheGames.
Housing
AllregisteredmembersofthedelegationwillbehousedinvariousLipscomb Universitydorms.AreadirectorsandHODswillworkwiththeGamesHousing Coordinatorinadvancetoassignroomsandhousinglocations.ONLYregistered delegateswillhaveaccesstothedorms.Allhousinginformationwillbeturnedin,and anykeys/fobspassedout,attheadvancepersonmeetingduringprogramcheck-in.
WeatherPolicies
HeatPolicy
SOTN’sheatpolicyisdeterminedbytheWetBulbGlobeTemperature(WBGT).WBGT considersambienttemperature,humidity,windspeed,sunangle,directsunlight,and cloudcover.WBGTismonitoredviaPerryWeather.LocatedinCategory3,SOTNwill utilizethech
OncetheThreatLevelhasreachedExtreme,allcompetitionwillimmediatelybe stopped,andanevacuationwillbeprompted.
ColdPolicy
Coldexposureisanunavoidablepartofsports,especiallywiththosethatparticipate inoutdoorsportsduringthefallandwintermonths.Thefollowingguidelineswillbe usedinplanningactivitiesdependingonwind-chilltemperature.
● 30Fahrenheitandbelow:Beawareofthepotentialforcoldinjury.
● 25Fahrenheitandbelow:Additionalprotectiveclothing,coveringasmuch exposedskinaspractical.Accesstofacilitiesforre-warmingprovided.
● 20Fahrenheitandbelow:Activitytimewillbelimitedaccordingtothesport.
WeatherPolicies
LightningPolicy
● AlllightningismonitoredviaPerryWeather.
● Lightningwithin10mileswillimmediatelystopcompetitionandpromptan evacuationofthefacility.
● A30-minutetimerstartsonceplayhasbeensuspended;thetimerresetsevery timeanewstrikeoccurswithin10miles.Oncethetimerreacheszero,teams, coaches,spectators,officials,&employeeswillbeinstructedtore-enterthe facilitytoresumecompetitionassoonaspossible.
● Notalllightningthatisvisuallylocatediscloseenoughtopromptastoppage ofplayandevacuationofthefacility.
Oneairhornblastsignifiesanimmediateevacuationtosafespaces, twoairhornblastssignifyresumptionofcompetition.
LipscombCampusMap
