About Us

Upper Arlington Special Olympics has a rich and rewarding history of offering year-round sports training and athletic competition to student and adult athletes with disabilities. We offer a great community of athletes, parents and volunteers.

Athletes of any age can take part in our practices. Athletes must be at least 8 years old to take part in competitions.

Athlete families pay nothing to take part. As a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit, we receive no funding from Special Olympics at the county, state, national or international level. One hundred percent of what we raise goes to the sports programs and the athletes.

New athletes are always welcome. Come to a practice and check it out!

The program was started by Dr. Pat Owens in 1986. Mike Borders came to help with a basketball season in the early nineties, stayed to coach track, and added soccer and softball as the club grew.

Currently, UA Special Olympics has over 70 athletes participating in more than a dozen sports!

And in 2026, we are celebrating 40 years of Upper Arlington Special Olympics sports!