New Athlete Leadership University Curriculum Announced

In 2021, Special Olympics International created a new Athlete Representative and Global Messenger curriculum. This new curriculum not only creates a better learning experience (both virtually and in person), but also will better allow all Athlete Leaders to feel more confident in being able to do more things locally and regionally shortly after course completion.

As a result, SOPA has decided that starting in 2022, Athlete Representatives and Global Messengers will only need to complete one course. Following course completion, they will then be asked to complete at least six practicums before being eligible to graduate.

Additionally, in an effort to ensure more athletes are given Athlete Leadership opportunities throughout the state, any Athlete Leader trained starting in 2022 must complete their practicum before being trained in any additional Athlete Leadership roles. To submit a practicum, an Athlete Leader must:

• Log into THEIR individual (not their mentor’s) profile in the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Online Portal.
  • If the Athlete Leader is having difficulties logging in, they may select “Trouble Logging In” to retrieve User ID or “Forgot Password” to automatically have new password sent to their e-mail.
  • Once logged in, Athlete Leaders must then go to the “Athlete Leadership Opportunities” tab and select the course(s) they wish to submit a practicum for.

As soon as the required practicum has been completed for a course, an Athlete Leader is then eligible to graduate from Athlete Leadership University!

Please also check out the Athlete Leadership tab on the SOPA website for the most up to date information on Athlete Leadership University and all other things related to Athlete Leadership!

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at if you have any questions.