Law enforcement teams to carry torch across Pa. to kick off games

Before the first ball is tossed or lap made across a pool at the upcoming Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games, teams of law enforcement officers will be running across the state to mark the chapter’s 40th anniversary.

The Summer Games start June 9 at Penn State with opening ceremonies at Medlar Field and the lighting of the Olympic torch by participants in the first “Be a Fan” torch run. The 150-mile run from PNC Bank in Pittsburgh to Penn State involves 40 teams of law enforcement officers, including one from Centre County.

Ferguson Township police Sgt. Ryan Hendrick, who is coordinating the run in Centre County with State College police Lt. Chris Fishel, said about a dozen law enforcement officers are donating their time for the local team. They’ll pick up the torch at Warriors Mark and take turns running with it all the way past the Nittany Lion statue and over to the opening events.

“It’s a tremendous cause,” Hendrick said. “It’s a great way to show we truly do care and do whatever we can for the community.”

Spokeswoman Nicole Jones said the run is a natural way to kick off the Summer Games and mark the chapter’s 40th anniversary. The opening ceremonies will also recognize the athletes, including the 14 representatives who will go to the Special Olympics 2011 World Summer Games in Athens, Greece, later this month.

Jones said the first official Pennsylvania event was a small track and field meet that took place in 1970 at West Chester University and included 135 athletes. While next week’s will mark the 42nd annual Summer Games, this year is Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s 40th anniversary as an officially recognized chapter.

“It’s come an extremely long way from 40 years ago,” Jones said. “It’s gone from involving a handful of athletes to an organization with a presence in about 56 counties in Pennsylvania serving more than 20,000 athletes.”

Athletes will participate in 22 Olympic-type sports, including golf, swimming, bowling, basketball, softball and tennis. Preliminary games start June 9. The competitions begin June 10 and continue until closing events at 4:30 p.m. June 11 on East Halls lawn.

Jones said Special Olympics is still looking for volunteers to help out at the events. Volunteers can sign up online at www.sopasummergames.org, or show up at the tent at the corner of University Drive and Curtin Road at any time during the three-day event.

“If they come and volunteer, their lives will definitely be changed,” Jones said.