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  1. Parks and Recreation
  2. Parks and Recreation Programs
  3. Special Olympics
Parks and Recreation

Dean Road Rec Center

307 S Dean Rd

Elizabeth Kaufman

Elizabeth Kaufman

Therapeutic Programs Coordinator

The Lee County, AL Special Olympics program is open to participants 8 years of age and older who live or attend school in Lee County, AL. Athletes do not have to be associated with a local school in order to compete, but must meet the age and medical requirements.

Athletes are allowed to participate in any of the following events: Aquatics, Athletics (Track and Field), Basketball, Bowling,  Golf, and Volleyball. Most athletes in the Lee County area participate in Athletics (Track and Field,) Basketball, Bowling, Golf, Swimming, and Volleyball. Athletes are allowed to participate in as many sports/events as they would like on a local or regional level. However, an athlete can only compete in one sport at the State and National Games. Athletes are placed in divisions based on their age, gender, and qualifying score/time. Athletes MUST be age 14 (high school) or older to participate in Basketball, Powerlifting, and Volleyball due to state competition requirements.

Medicals and participation waivers are required for all participants in the Special Olympics program. (For more information on these forms, please visit the Forms section of this website.) Practices for various sports are held at various facilities throughout Auburn. Times are set seasonally, and most practices fall in late afternoon/evening. Practices for schools are coordinated with the Resource teacher or Physical Education teacher by the SpEd teacher at each individual school. However, practices for all sports are also held through Auburn Parks and Recreation. These practices are open to any athlete, regardless of their age or if they already practice at their school. Practices are typically held weekly throughout the school year (depending on the sport) and are open to all ages.

Anyone desiring to participate in Special Olympics practices through Auburn Parks and Recreation must register with Elizabeth Kaufman as all practice changes and cancellations are communicated via email.

Program Guidelines for Lee County Special Olympics:

  • Athletes must be over age 14 to participate in Volleyball and Basketball. State competitions have returned and they are age high school and older only.
  • Athletes must be over age 8 to participate in other sports, but must have some prior knowledge of how to swim if doing Aquatics. We only teach stroke refinement/speed. Athletes must understand pool safety and etiquette, must not ingest pool water, and must be completely toilet trained to participate in Aquatics. Athletes not meeting these guidelines will not be able to swim.
  • If your athlete is not independent, or if they have medical conditions or allergies that need monitoring, a parent or guardian MUST accompany them to practice as there are no staff on-site, just volunteer coaches.
  • If you register for a Special Olympics sport you may miss up to 2 practices per season. This is to ensure we are practicing as a team!

Elizabeth Kaufman, 334-501-2939 or [email protected]