University of Hartford Hosts Special Olympics CT Eastern Regional Games

The University of Hartford and Hartford Public High School will host the 2013 Special Olympics Connecticut Eastern Regional Games. About 650 athletes, 200 coaches, and more than 400 volunteers will participate in athletics and aquatics competitions. This is the 10th year that the University of Hartford has hosted these Games. Opening Ceremonies will start at 9 a.m. at the University of Hartford’s Sports Center. Opening Ceremonies and Aquatics competitions will be held at the University and athletics competition will be held at Hartford Public High School. In addition, both venues will have an Olympic Town area where athletes can enjoy music, dancing, and arts and crafts. The event is open free to the public. The 2013 Eastern Regional Games will be the largest Regional Competition this year and most will advance on the Special Olympic Connecticut Summer Games, being held June 7-9 in New Haven. Hoffman Audi is the Games Presenting Sponsor and Lincoln Waste Solutions is a Silver Medal sponsor. For more information, go to www.hartford.edu/soct or contact the Eastern Region Office at 860 887-1555 or by e-mail Marc Mercadante or marcm@soct.org. Since 1969, Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT) has provided year-round sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities through local, regional and state programs. SOCT serves 7,100 athletes throughout the state. Over 10,000 general volunteers and1100 volunteer coaches are involved with SOCT programs statewide Chartered in 1957 with the mission to be a “private university with a public purpose,” the University of Hartford offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in the arts, humanities, business, engineering and technology, education, and the health professions. The University’s student body of more than 7,000 represents 45 states and nearly 60 countries. For more information, visit www.hartford.edu.