BYU Special Olympics Collegiate Teams

Volunteers serve as coaches and committee members to train individuals with intellectual disabilities in a variety of Olympic-type sports. 

BYU Special Olympics Team is part of Special Olympics Utah, a chapter of Special Olympics International, which organizes area and state tournaments year-round. We are looking for volunteers to help support our athletes by coaching or playing with them for at least one season. It helps to start volunteering at the beginning of a season but we can take volunteers throughout as well!

Current sports offered by BYU:

January-March            Basketball

April-June                   Softball & Track

August-October           Soccer & Bocce ball

October-December      Bowling & Volleyball

Practices are held weekly, usually on Saturdays. Volunteers are encouraged to be there each week to be able to develop a strong relationship with the athletes. Coaches are expected to serve each weekend for a full season. The highlight of each season is a tournament off-campus where coaches and volunteers help our athletes play with all their hearts!

Currently, basketball practices are held every Tuesday night from 7:30-9:00 PM.

Contact the program directors by phone or email at specialolympicsteam@byu.edu for more information.

Please complete this mandatory 20 minute child protection training before you begin working with this program.

This semester during bowling we had some new athletes and volunteers show up. It was amazing to watch the process of the volunteers learning from the athletes and experience the love the athletes bring to every situation. As time went on, it was clear that though the volunteers thought they would be serving, they left more filled and more happy than they knew they would from their interactions with the athletes.

-Elise Millward 

Seeing the athletes light up as they interact with the volunteers is priceless. It is so impactful when the athletes themselves are so observant and take interest in my life! Many of them actually have a great memory, and will follow up with me to see how my test went or will ask how I'm feeling. It's neat to come prepared to serve them, but truly leave feeling that they have lifted me.

-Kimberly Crawford