From Nov. 1 to Nov. 3, thousands of Villanova students gathered around campus to host the 36th annual Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival. More than 20,000 adults with intellectual disabilities visited campus to train and compete in friendly competitions, which consisted of sports such as flag football, volleyball and soccer. This event is a pivotal part of the year for Villanova, as it has the honor of hosting the world’s largest student-run Special Olympics Festival, featuring more than 1,000 athletes, 400 coaches and 5,000 volunteers.
The festival kicked off with a welcome ceremony hosted in the Finneran Pavilion, where athletes were introduced to Villanova’s campus. Each county delegation was presented with a banner and walked through a tunnel of cheering Villanova athletes.
“Being on the Villanova cheerleading team and being able to cheer on the athletes is such a rewarding experience,” junior Danielle Lopes said. “The happy looks on their faces is something I will never forget.”
On Saturday, the games began, and thousands of people gathered all around campus to cheer on the athletes, both on and off the field.
One of the standout groups supporting the athletes was the Local Program Host Committee (LPH), which includes eager Villanova freshmen who want to be involved within the Special Olympics. Their role was to follow their assigned county delegation, offering encouragement and infectious energy throughout the games. LPH members even performed flash mobs to boost the athletes spirits.
Jane Murphy, a freshman communication major, described her first experience volunteering at Special Olympics.
“I have always heard about Villanova’s continuous participation in Special Olympics, so I have been looking forward to it for so long,” she said. “It really goes to show what Villanova stands for. My favorite part so far is getting so close to the athletes and celebrating with them. You can tell how hard they have been training and it is so rewarding to see them doing what they love.”
Many different on-campus organizations set up tables around the Quad, offering fun activities like golf, basketball and coloring along with refreshments like lemonade and cookies.
Junior Victoria Diaz explained how the cheer team contributed to Saturday’s tabling.
“We decided to make different colored lemonades and serve it with lemon-flavored Oreos,” she said.
The event allowed for meaningful interactions, creating countless cherished memories.
“One of my favorite memories from this weekend was when an athlete came up to our table and asked us to cheer for his game,” Diaz said.
The event concluded on Sunday with award ceremonies honoring the athletes for their dedication and hardwork.
Sophomore Grace Bean spoke about her involvement as a Volunteer Coordinator for the awards.
“Seeing how grateful and happy the athletes are during the awards ceremony is amazing,” she said. “Being a part of something bigger than myself and something so important to Villanova is incredibly rewarding.”
Samantha Zacharczyk, a member of the Inclusion Crew for awards, agreed.
“SPO provides a safe, supportive, and awesome environment to push this mission and have fun while doing it,” she said. “All of the late nights are so worth it when you finally see everything come together and how much this weekend means to athletes, their families and the Villanova community.”
The Athlete Oath— “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”—captures the spirit of the event, fostering a fun, memorable experience for everyone involved.
Jim Miele, team leader for York County and a head coach for bocce, expressed his admiration for the Villanova community’s efforts.
“The dedication the student body puts in and the organization of it all is just breathtaking,” he said.
The theme for this year’s Fall Fest, “Through brave exploration discover your true destination,” encouraged athletes and students alike to celebrate their future endeavors and embrace their passions. The impact of this theme and the spirit of the event resonate far beyond the weekend itself.
The 2024 Special Olympics Fall Festival at Villanova University was yet another success. Here’s to the memories made, and the anticipation for next year’s festival.
