NASHVILLE, TN (October 13, 2025)—Special Olympics Tennessee’s (SOTN) State Fall Games returns this weekend at Smyrna Bowling Center and Richard Siegel Park in Rutherford County on October 17 and 18. The games will feature four Special Olympics sports, and over 900 athletes and Unified Partners from across the state will participate. Volunteers are still needed for both days of the event in roles consisting of scorekeeping, timekeeping, down markers, health screening, awards and more.
The competition will begin on Friday, October 17, with bowling at Smyrna Bowling Center at 9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremonies will take place at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, at Richard Siegel Park, followed by competitions in flag football, fitness and cornhole beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Unified Flag Football state competition, in partnership with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), will also occur on Saturday. Find a schedule of events at www.specialolympicstn.org/fallgames.
SOTN athletes will also participate in the event's two free Healthy Athletes screenings. Special Smiles will include free dental screenings and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques, thanks to the Meharry School of Dentistry. Health Promotion will focus on healthy living and lifestyle choices, along with screenings for bone density, blood pressure, and body mass index. Its goals include encouraging and enhancing healthy behaviors and improving self-efficacy and self-advocacy.
Members of the community are encouraged to volunteer to support athletes at State Fall Games. Opportunities include monitoring events, scorekeeping, timekeeping, sports skills, health screenings, Young Athletes, awards and more. Click here to find a volunteer opportunity.