JESUIT PERSPECTIVES • SPRING 2018 9
and athletic competition – coupled with
social, life, and leadership skill development
opportunities – for children and
adults with intellectual disabilities or a
similar developmental disability. Special
Olympics Florida was founded in 1972
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in Florida were at Jesuit High School) and
is one of the largest volunteer-driven
athletic organizations in the state. Special
Olympics Florida–Hillsborough County
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letes in 17 different sports. The athletes
also are invited to participate in Athlete
Leadership Programs and Healthy
Athletes initiatives. More than 1,200
people from Tampa Bay volunteer each
year with Special Olympics Florida–Hillsborough
County.
Let me win.
But if I cannot
win, let me be
brave in the
Jesuit High School's involvement
in the Special Olympics
dates back to the roots of Special
Olympics Florida. On June 3,
1972, Eunice Kennedy Shriver (the
founder of the Special Olympics
in the 1960s) and Gov. Reubin
Askew came to Jesuit, and, along
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Special Olympics. In 2016, after
Scan to view a photo slideshow from
the Special Olympics at Jesuit
Jesuit's 200 student volunteers were
involved in all facets of the Special
Olympics, assisting the teams and
athletes throughout the day
years at the University of South
Florida where the Jesuit Dads’
Club spearheaded the volunteer
effort, the Special Olympics
were brought back to Jesuit. The
Dads' Club is involved yearround
in planning the event, and
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a cherished annual tradition and
driving force in the success of the
Special Olympics in Hillsborough
County.
attempt.
Special Olympics motto
Where It All Began