Hosting the Special Olympics
Dear Colleagues,
And just like that, another academic year has come to close. My thanks to everyone who made Sunday’s Commencement ceremonies possible. It was a wonderful weekend celebrating our newest graduates.
As we all know, this campus never stays quiet for long, and this year is no exception. Beyond the normal summer academic activities, Utica University and Oneida County will host the Special Olympics New York 2026 Summer Games on June 5-6 – just one month from today.
Centered right here on our campus – with select competitions at Hamilton College, Mohawk Valley Community College, the City of Utica Parkway Tennis Courts, and the Nexus Center – the Games will showcase this region’s extraordinary spirit of inclusion and competition. We look forward to welcoming more than 1,200 Special Olympics athletes and coaches as well as the athletes’ families, supporters, and community spectators for this signature event.
Of course, the Special Olympics relies heavily on community support and volunteer power. If you are able, I hope you will consider volunteering your time. From the energy of Opening Ceremonies in Gaetano Stadium to inspiring competition and the joy of victory, your participation will help to make this event an experience these highly dedicated athletes will never forget.
If you would like to volunteer, please click here to register. If you have any questions or are interested in registering a group or team of volunteers, just reach out to Sara Massa at smassa@nyso.org.
We are excited to have the Special Olympics Summer Games here on our campus for each of the next three years – and hopefully longer. Join us, be part of something unforgettable, and let’s show the world what Utica University and the Mohawk Valley are all about.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Nesbitt
President