Athletes, families and volunteers reunite at 2017 Summer Games
For the 45th consecutive summer, more than 5,000 athletes, coaches and volunteers will make their way to Central Michigan University for the Special Olympics Michigan Summer Games.
The three-day event, June 1-3, will give Michigan children and adults with disabilities a chance to compete and build friendships that will last a lifetime.
The Hope Torch will be lit at 10 a.m. Thursday on the steps of the State Capitol Building in Lansing and run up U.S. 127 to Kelly/Shorts Stadium to be passed on to Lane Heximer, who was named SOMI's Inspirational Athlete of the Year at last year's summer games. Heximer will light the Flame of Hope at 6:15 p.m. to kick off Thursday's opening ceremony.
"It's truly overwhelming to accept such an honor," he said. "So many people in Special Olympics have inspired me to always work hard and be positive. I hope I can do the same for them."
Heximer has been involved with Special Olympics Michigan for more than 10 years, competing in basketball, softball, soccer and poly hockey. Whether it's long distances, sprinting or training in the weight room, he works out every day to stay healthy and active.
Through his involvement with SOMI and the continued support of his coaches and teammates, Lane was able to go from being temperamental to a true leader, said Senior Marketing and Communications Director Aaron Mills. Heximer lost 65 pounds and has been able to keep that weight off for three years.
"Lane inspires his teammates with his positive spirit, can-do attitude and fierce determination," Mills said.
Heximer will also co-emcee the closing ceremony starting at 7 p.m. Friday alongside Inspector John Card, who is in charge of the Law Enforcement Torch Run program in Michigan. WZZM-TV news anchor Juliet Dragos and WXYZ-TV reporter Ann Marie LaFlamme will co-emcee the Opening Ceremony.
Dragos, who has volunteered with SOMI for more than 20 years, is in her second term in her new role on the Board of Directors. She said it's like having a second full-time job that she doesn't get paid for, but the athletes are what make every hour worth it.
"The first time I volunteered at the summer games I was blown away," Dragos said. "They put me on a hook and reeled me in. With these athletes, there's no judgement. They're so selfless and kind to they're fellow competitors and it's always a reality check. It definitely makes me a better person being able to witness that and be a part of it."
The summer games include more than 20 sports, including running events at Bennett Track, gymnastics, volleyball and powerlifting.
For the first time at the summer games this year, 44 athletes will participate in Unified track relays on Thursday to kick off Unified Sports Day. Project Unified, a program dedicated to promote social inclusion through shared sports training and competition, brings in athletes from Michigan schools every year to compete side-by-side with SOMI athletes in Thursday's bocce tournament.
Dan Ekonen, director of Unified Sports Initiatives for the Special Olympics, said the decision to include the unified relay event resulted from local schools requesting more track-and-field-oriented events from the Special Olympics. Competing teams come from three schools; Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, Bay City Center High School and Woodland Developmental Center.
"The whole purpose of Unified Champions Schools is to create a more inclusive environment throughout the school," Ekonen said. "The students are making friendships at practice that carry out into the hallways and classrooms. They make these connections through sports that hopefully will transfer into their school environment."
The summer games is presented by SpartanNash. Mills said SpartanNash is in charge of supplying, cooking and distributing food to the2,000 volunteers during the three-day event. This year's summer games will mark Frank Vandermeer's 33rd year of feeding athletes and spectators by operating the SpartanNash food tent.
Vandermeer has been operating the food tent every year since 1985. Along with fellow Spartan employee Bob DeYoung, Vandermeer originally served hot dogs to Spartan volunteers who worked at the Summer Games. Vandermeer and DeYoung have since retired from SpartanNash, though they still participate as volunteers.
"Once I started this, I was hooked, and I'm still hooked," Vandermeer said. "I get more back from doing this with the athletes then I could ever even think about giving. It's very rewarding."
An over-sized tent set up in Lot 64 will begin serving patrons at 4 p.m. on Thursday at the SpartanNash Tailgate until 6:15 p.m., immediately preceding the opening ceremonies. The tailgate meal includes hamburgers, pizza and chicken nuggets, with vegetable and salad options available.
The food tent serves breakfast and lunch on Friday and Saturday. Breakfast will be served between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., and includes sandwiches, fruit, cereal and yogurt. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., and features a menu of hot dogs, bratwurst and pulled pork.
