Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

WHO:  For the second consecutive year, Green Bay Packer linebacker, A.J. Hawk will share his stories with the nearly 2,000 athletes, 500 coaches, 700 volunteers and 3,000 spectators that attend the Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) State Summer Games Opening Ceremony on Thursday, June 10, 2010. Hawk, who ended the 2009 season with 89 tackles, is a five-year pro and former top-five draft pick. He continues to be a reliable spokesperson for the organization and will be available for questions prior to the Opening Ceremonies.



In addition, 64 Team Wisconsin athletes—who leave for Lincoln, Nebraska for the second-ever National Games—will also be on-hand for interviews during the Summer Games June 10-12, 2010.



WHAT:  The crowd will go wild as nearly 2,000 athletes put on their uniforms, lace up their sneakers and meet once again for a Fox Sports Wisconsin themed weekend of swimming, track & field, power lifting, soccer at the 2010 State Summer Games. Soccer exhibition games for the National Games team will be held Friday at 2:45 p.m. and Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m.



When not competing on Friday, athletes will enjoy entertainment including arts and crafts, karaoke stage, dunk tank, Klement s Racing Sausages autograph session, stage performances and many other attractions. Several of  SOWI s Corporate Partners will have booths set up in Victory Village to showcase their involvement and provide free souvenirs.



On Friday, athletes will receive free on-site health care screenings at Wal-Mart Healthy Athletes tents. Volunteer dentists and dental hygienists will offer dental screenings, fluoride varnish and mouth guards for the athletes. Lions Club International sponsored Opening Eyes offers vision exams and provides prescription glasses for athletes in need. The Health Promotion area will offer education on nutrition, smoking cessation and other great health tips for athletes as well as a Dancetown area where athletes can make burning calories fun! This area will also host nurses, doctors and dietitians to take athletes blood pressure, bone mineral density, and determine body mass index.



The Closing Ceremony Friday night will feature a disco theme complete with 70 s music and John Travolta look-a-likes!



WHERE:  Opening Ceremonies & competitions at UW-Stevens Point Colman Track on 2100 Main Street (media should park on Maria Drive or in parking lots J or S on Maria Drive as Reserve Street is closed off).



Victory Village at UW-Stevens Point Intramural Fields & Lot Q (media should park in lot Q)



WHEN:



Thursday, June 10   

6:30pm-8:30pm    Opening Ceremonies

5:30pm-6:00pm    AJ Hawk Interview Time

6:30pm-7:00pm    National Games Athletes Interview Time



Friday, June 11   

8:30am-4:00pm    Victory Village & Competitions

9:00am-3:30pm    Healthy Athletes



Friday, June 11

2:45pm   National Games Soccer Exhibition



Saturday, June 12   

8:30am    National Games Soccer Exhibition



Saturday, June 12    8:00am-2:00pm    Competitions