Eligibility
To participate with Lake Travis ISD Special Olympics, athletes must:
Be attending LTISD schools
Be at least 8 years of age by first day of competition
Be identified as intellectually disabled, have a cognitive delay, and/or have a closely related developmental disability Click here for SOTX Athlete Eligibility
Be able to demonstrate good sportsmanship in a variety of environments
Have paperwork on file prior to first practice Forms to be completed
Athlete Athlete Athlete Medical Permission Code of Form Form Conduct
SOTX form to be Good for current school Good for current school completed by parent/ year. Permission for year: Covers guardian and physician participation in practices sportsmanship, training, Good for 3 years or when and use of athlete’s competition & personal a major medical change likeness on district responsibility has occurred website. Please review Your doctor may be Parent contact expectations with your willing to complete form information for coaches athlete without an appointment and Head of Delegation if a physical exam has been completed within a year. Practices
LTISD participates in SOTX: Bowling Basketball Cycling Track & Field
Practices are held on weekdays after school in the LTISD area. Your athlete will need to attend at least 5 practices in order to compete in area competitions.
Athletes are encouraged, but not required, to attend competition. For some athletes, the goal is simply to attend practices and work up to competition.
Practices can be loud and often require waiting turns. Practices
Participation in practices is limited to athletes, coaches and approved volunteers. Athletes and volunteers will need to sign in at the beginning of each practice.
Family and friends are encouraged to watch practices and cheer on our athletes from the sidelines and bleachers. We ask that fields, courts and bowling lanes be kept clear for athletes. Competitions
Area competitions are held in and around the Austin area. They are often on Saturdays, but some events are held on Fridays during school hours. If your athlete attends competition with the LTISD delegation during school, it is an excused absence. Marisa will contact the school’s attendance clerk. Absences due to competitions with non-LTISD SO delegations will not be cleared by Marisa.
Competitions often entail a lot of down time and waiting, sometimes in extreme temperatures. They can be loud and crowded. Athletes are welcome to bring games, books or devices while waiting for their event. Rabbit Rule
In keeping with the tradition of fair play between those of equal abilities, Special Olympics Texas utilizes and enforces the “Rabbit Rule”. It equalizes competition and protects against inaccurate entry scores. “Rabbited” athletes are awarded in the appropriate heat.
The placement you think your athlete should receive might not be what they are awarded. The judges determine award placement. There are legitimate reasons why an athlete might rabbit.
Competitions are run by volunteers. Please bring award placement concerns to the LT coach or Marisa, not volunteers working for Special Olympics. Lake Travis ISD policy prohibits pets from LT campuses. This includes school fields. Special Olympics Texas prohibits pets from SOTX competitions. Please leave pets at home during practices and competitions.
Service animals specifically trained to aid a person with a disability are welcome What is important in youth sports? Sports information presentations
Sports information presentations will be posted on-line the week prior to the first practice of each sport: Bowling: September 2019 Basketball: December 2019 Cycling: January 2020 Track and Field: February 2020
Parents are responsible for the information in the presentation. Please contact Marisa if you have questions or concerns.
Lake Travis Special Olympics webpage Erin Russo, head coach
Practices Location
WEDNESDAYS September 18 – October 30 High 5 Family 4:30 – 5:20 p.m. Entertainment or 1502 RR 620 S 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Lakeway 78734
2 games per practice High 5 is again donating the time and Athletes are expected to space. Please consider remain in the pit area until patronizing their venue both games have been played. after practice.
Sign up through SignUpGenius Dates
• Friday November 1 – Sunday November 3, 2019 • Athletes only compete one day assigned by Area 13
Locations
• Highland Lanes • 8909 Burnet Rd
Time
• 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Competition time assigned by Area 13 • Athletes will be excused from classes if competing during school hours • Transportation will be available - contact Marisa if needed Cards for shoes size and bowling ball size are available for your athlete to use Wendi Daniels & Hal Shults , Team Coaches Connie Wallace & Brian Kenyon, Assistant Coaches Shanan Phillips, Team Skills Coach Marisa Sodders, Individual Skills
Practices Location
Lake Travis High School WEDNESDAYS Gym 3
December 18 – March 4 3324 Ranch Rd 620 S 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Lakeway 78738
Enter on Spillman Loop to No practice on: access gym December 25 January 1 Dates
• Saturday February 22, 2020
Locations
• Jowers Center in San Marcos (5v5 and 3v3 teams) • Individual skills and Team Skills TBD
Time
• 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. • Transportation will be available – contact Marisa if needed Frank Assorgi, head coach
Practices Location
MONDAYS January 13 – March 23 EDC parking lot 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
SATURDAYS 607 RR 620 N, January 25 and February 8 Austin 78734 4:00-5:00 pm (if needed for bad weather make up)
No practice on: January 20 February 17 March 16 Date
• Saturday March 28, 2020
Location
• Circuit of the Americas
Time
• 8:00 am – 5:00 pm • Transportation will be available – contact Marisa if needed Alicia and Rusty Schoenherr, head coaches
Practices Location
THURSDAYS February and March: Lake Travis Middle School February 27 – April 23 Track 6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. 4932 Bee Creek Rd, Spicewood 78669 No practice: March 19 April: Lake Travis High School Track
3324 Ranch Rd 620 S Austin 78738 Date
• Friday April 24 and Saturday April 25, 2020
Location
• TBD
Time
• 8:00 am – 5:00 pm • Athletes will be excused from classes if competing during school hours • Transportation will be available – contact Marisa if needed Uniforms
We have ordered uniform shirts for athletes. You will receive a shirt that is yours to keep.
Backpacks and hoodies are available for checkout. Please return them at the end of the school year. Uniforms
What to wear to competitions:
Bowling: Uniform shirt and any pants or shorts Basketball: Uniform shirt and black shorts Cycling: Uniform shirt and black cycling/athletic shorts Track and Field: Uniform shirt and black shorts
On the day of the parade at Lake Travis High School, we will have a designated meeting area before and a different meeting area after the parade. If you do not plan to walk with the float, please plan to be at the meeting area to pick up your athlete.
Only athletes will be allowed to ride on the float. Waivers will have to be signed prior to the parade. Parents and siblings are welcome to walk alongside and behind the float.
All participating athletes will need to check in prior to the parade and will be released to the parent/guardian who must be present following the parade. Our theme this year is “Wipe out the competition”.
Athletes should dress in beach-themed clothing and props – shorts, LT or SO t- shirt, sunglasses, beach ball, beach towel (no swimsuits, please).
Decorating day: Sunday September 8 at 3:00 p.m. with Tuesday September 10 at 4:30 p.m. as a back-up.
To volunteer at our practices or competitions, volunteers must be • High school-aged or older • Complete necessary paperwork and pass a background check (for 18 years or older who are not enrolled in LTHS) • Be dedicated to helping our athletes be their best
If you know someone interested in volunteering, please have them contact Marisa In Summary
Have necessary paperwork on file
Attend 5 practices in order to compete
No pets allowed at practice or competition
Review sports information presentations Have fun! Sign up for Remind Contact Information
Head of Delegation – EDC Special Services
Marisa Sodders
[email protected] 512-533-7924 (office) 512-518-1199 (cell) 512-533-6469 (fax) Remind will be the main form of communication