The Countdown Is On: Special Olympics Pennsylvania Eastern Fall Sectional Just Days Away

Nearly 900 athletes will take over campus as DeSales once again hosts the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Eastern Fall Sectional. The daylong event kicks off on Sunday, October 3, at 9 a.m. with the opening ceremony on the turf field behind Billera Hall. 

The Eastern Fall Sectional is the University’s largest service event of the year. More than 400 students volunteer, and athletes compete in six events: volleyball, soccer, flag football, long-distance running/walking, bocce, and powerlifting. 

“This will be one of our biggest Eastern Fall Sectionals,” says Kathleen Maloney ’23, director of support services for the DeSales Special Olympics Committee. “These athletes have worked for two years to be able to show off their skills. We’re so excited to finally give them the opportunity to compete and to celebrate all of their hard work.”

Last year, DeSales joined forces with Slippery Rock University and Juniata College to host a virtual Eastern Fall Sectional due to COVID-19. This year, masking is required for all athletes, volunteers, and spectators both indoors and outdoors. All competitions will be held outdoors, except for volleyball (Billera Hall) and powerlifting (DeSales University Center). Learn how you can volunteer