An athlete and a volunteer run on the track at the Special Olympics
The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) is honored to join the Special Olympics in celebrating its 55th anniversary on Friday, May 2, 2025, with a day of inspiration, athleticism, and community connection at the Coatesville Memorial Stadium.
This milestone event will welcome over 1,000 athletes, ages 8 to 22, from across Chester County, continuing a tradition that has grown tremendously over the years. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10:00 a.m., following athlete and volunteer arrival between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. Competitions will run from 10:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Over the past five years, the Chester County Special Olympics has been supported by an incredible team of nearly 400 dedicated volunteers. These volunteers not only help manage events but also serve as buddies, cheerleaders, and guiding lights for the athletes throughout the day.
Event categories include:
- Track Events – walking and running
- Field Events – tennis ball throw, softball throw, shot put, and modified javelin
- Jumping Events – standing long jump and running long jump
- Adaptive Races – specifically designed for athletes who use motorized wheelchairs or assistive walking devices
What began locally more than two decades ago with just a few hundred participants has grown into one of the region’s most cherished events, thanks in large part to the unwavering leadership of the event’s head organizer, Debbie Phillips, Health and Physical Education teacher at the CCIU’s Child & Career Development Center, who has been involved for over 20 years—15 of those at the helm.
“Watching this event grow has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” Phillips shared. “The athletes give everything they have, not to win first place, but to cross the finish line, jump a little farther, and throw a little farther than they ever have. That’s the true spirit of the Special Olympics.”
Today, the event enjoys support not only from local schools but also from an expanding network of generous sponsors, including CCRES Educational and Behavioral Services, Austill’s Educational Therapy Services, Bently Systems, Service Master, Morison Cogan LLP, Lamb McErlane PC, Detailing Boss, Team Shawn, Charles Friel Landscapers, Herr Potts & Potts, and Northbrook Press, who also provided the athletes’ uniforms and shirts.
The Chester County Intermediate Unit’s facilitation of the Special Olympics continues to be a shining example of what’s possible when a community comes together in celebration of perseverance, inclusion, and joy.
The public is invited to join athletes and volunteers on Friday, May 2 to experience the magic!
To learn more about the CCIU, visit www.cciu.org.
