Special Olympics
District 15 Special Olympics provides sports training and competition in a variety of sports for children ages 8-15 having a variety of disabilities. These sports provide opportunities to develop physical fitness, the development of leisure skills, the enjoyment of learning new skills, the experience of working with their peers, and being a part of a team while making friends and improving social interactions.
District 15 Special Olympics team, the Blue Jays, is currently looking at representing District 15 in the following sports: Snowshoeing, Athletics, Soccer, and Soccer Skills. We may be able to offer additional sports depending on student interest and coaching availability.
Who is eligible to participate in Special Olympics:
- People age eight and above who are considered to have intellectual disability* as determined by their localities.
- People with closely related developmental disabilities** such as those who have functional limitations, both in general learning and in adaptive skills, such as recreation, work, independent living, self-direction, or self-care. Note: People with functional limitations based solely on a physical, behavioral, emotional, specific learning disability, or sensory disability are not eligible.
Teams will have practices one day a week about eight weeks prior to the event. These practices will be run after school hours at one of our district schools and led by both the Head Coach and Assistant Coach.
- Special Olympics offer students an extracurricular program designed specifically for them.
- Special Olympics give students a chance to experience being part of a team.
- Special Olympics help students learn how to make friends and play with others.
- Special Olympics help students get a better sense of self while developing social and self-help skills.
Center of Excellence portal transition and Athlete Registration/Health History & Release Form requirements
Special Olympics is currently rolling out a new athlete registration process.
This will include a new online portal for parents, coaches, circle of care, and others to help athletes manage their own profile.
Visit the Center of Excellence portal for more information.
n addition, a new Athlete Registration/Health History & Release Form is being required for all athletes by December 31, 2025, even those who have a current consent and medical form on file.
Transition to new Center of Excellence online portal
District 15 is being trained and transitioned to the new Center of Excellence online portal and process October 20–November 9, 2025. Until November 9, 2025, please continue to submit paper forms to Jim Hermetet hermetej@ccsd15.net or Melissa Souden soudenm@ccsd15.net.
Once the new portal is active, we will update parents and guardians on the use of the portal.
IMPORTANT! NEW UPDATED Athlete Registration / Health History & Release Form is REQUIRED by December 31, 2025.
This year, Special Olympics has updated its athlete registration process.
- All athletes, both new and returning, will need to have the new Athlete Registration/Health History & Release Form (English) | (Spanish) on file with Special Olympics by December 31, 2025, to participate in Special Olympics practices and competitions.
- The new Athlete Registration/Health History & Release Form form is required even if your student athlete has a current medical form and release on file form a prior year.
- The new Athlete Registration/Health History & Release Form form will be good for a one (1) year period.
- The athlete must have an accurate, fully completed Athlete Registration/Health History & Release Form on file with Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL) prior to any relevant deadline, otherwise the athlete will not be able to participate in SOILL competitions, programs, and events.
- The Athlete Registration/Health History & Release Form must be valid throughout the completion of the competition, program, or event.
Please complete and submit the new Athlete Registration/Health History & Release Form (English) | (Spanish) directly to:
- Jim Hermetet, hermetej@ccsd15.net, or Melissa Souden, soudenm@ccsd15.net, Special Olympics Facilitators.