From the Desk of the CEO: August 2025
In my last message, I talked about “Risks Worth Taking” — and taking one of those risks has already paid off in a big way. Earlier this year, we launched a brand-new summer season for golf and softball.
This shift was part of our broader “Future of Sport” vision. Not everyone agreed with the change, but we listened to feedback from athletes and coaches and then moved forward together. The result? A huge success. Participation in golf and softball nearly doubled this year, with 1,400 athletes involved. Twenty softball teams competed at the championship, and 90 athletes played in the golf championship. Change can be hard — but it can also open doors.
Restructuring for a Stronger Future
We also took a major step a few years ago when we began regionalizing our structure across the state. That shift wasn’t always easy or popular, but we knew it was necessary to better serve our athletes. The old structure couldn’t support the growth we needed.
We officially completed that transformation in late 2024 with the hiring of our final regional staff in Susquehanna Valley. While a few roles remain open, the foundation is in place. Regional teams of staff and volunteers will now lead the way, creating more local support and more opportunities in every corner of Pennsylvania.
A Big Goal: Doubling Our Reach
Everyone involved with Special Olympics Pennsylvania believes in the power of sport to change lives and we’ve already accomplished so much in our first 50 years. But we’re just getting started. Right now, we serve less than 4% of Pennsylvanians with an intellectual disability. By 2030, we want to double that number and make sure the experience is high-quality from start to finish.
That means more training sites. More coaches. More local teams stepping up to work with our regional staff. We’re already investing in staff to support coach education and local program development so we can grow smart and grow strong.
Expanding Unified and Athlete Wellness
We’re also committed to growing the things that make our movement truly inclusive: Unified Sports in communities, Unified Champion Schools, and Unified Leadership. These programs don’t just bring people together — they change hearts and minds. We’ll also keep pushing forward on athlete health, fitness, and well-being, because a healthy athlete is a thriving athlete.
Help Shape SOPA’s Next Strategic Plan
Right now, each of our 9 regions is developing its own plan based on the unique needs, opportunities, and challenges in their communities. These regional plans are being combined with department plans from headquarters to shape our 2026–2030 Strategic Plan.
An initial draft will be reviewed by our Board of Directors this month. Many of you — athletes, families, volunteers, and staff — have already contributed to it. But we want even more feedback before the final plan is approved in November.
We’ll be offering several ways to get involved:
- Local in-person meetings
- An online survey
- And an open email inbox for ideas, suggestions, or concerns
We want you to be part of shaping where we go next.
Together, the Best Is Yet to Come
This is a turning point for us. We’re proud of how far we’ve come — and excited about where we’re headed. Thank you for your passion, your trust, and your belief in the power of what we can do together. There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
The best is truly yet to come.