Heart of East Texas Area Athletes to Compete in National Games

Team Texas Departs for National Games This Week

In one week, 152 Texas athletes and 39 coaches will depart on the journey of a lifetime! Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) – Heart of East Texas area athletes will travel on July 17 to Lincoln, Nebraska for the 2010 U.S.A. National Games!

The Games will be held on and near the University of Nebraska at the Lincoln campus, July 18-23. SOTX athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, basketball, bowling, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, flag football, tennis and volleyball.

Two Heart of East Texas area athletes, Ross Clubb and James Hawkins, will be among those representing Team Texas at the Games. Updates and results on the Texas athletes will be available online at www.specialolympicstexas.org.

Travel Details

Clubb and Hawkins will travel with the Greater Houston area athletes and coaches to Nebraska. The group will meet at the Houston IAH Airport at the Continental Airlines ticketing area at 6:50 a.m. on July 17. They will return to the Houston IAH Airport at 2:55 p.m. on July 24.

*MEDIA NOTE: Media planning to cover the send off at the airports should notify the Media Contacts listed above in advance.

Twenty-seven year old Ross Clubb loves sports. The College Station athlete has been involved in Special Olympics since 1992; he competes in volleyball, soccer, aquatics, flag football and bowling. A natural athlete and team leader, he was named the Houston Area Athlete of the Year in 2003. Clubb traveled to Ireland to compete in the 2003 World Games and participated in the 2007 World Games in Shanghai, China. He competed in the first National Games in 2006, earning a silver medal in Unified soccer.

Outside of Special Olympics, Clubb finds ways to donate his time as a volunteer. He has helps out with his church and volunteered with the Texas Heart Institute in Houston. He also appeared in the film "The Ringer" and was able to attend an event with Johnny Knoxville and other cast members. Clubb was a member of his high school's student council, and served as president.

As a Unified Partner, James Hawkins is ready to score a touch down for Team Texas. Twenty-one year old Hawkins participates in basketball, bocce, bowling and golf, along with flag football. He is excited to put his skills to the test at National Games and very proud to share the experience with Special Olympics Texas athletes. Hawkins says that going to National Games is the experience of a lifetime, one he didn't think he'd ever get.

Off the football field, Hawkins is a high school graduate. He loves to go fishing, horseback riding and working on a farm. He enjoys playing sports for fun.

About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas is a privately funded non-profit organization providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for 36,311 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Lone Star State. Be a part of the movement that is CHANGING LIVES in your community. For more information, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org.

About the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games
The 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska will showcase and celebrate the Special Olympics movement and athletes from across the United States, while illustrating the power of sports to educate and inform about the true abilities and achievements of people with intellectual disabilities. From July 18-23, 2010, nearly 3,000 athletes will compete in 13 Olympic-style sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, 8,000 volunteers and an estimated 15,000 family and friends. In addition to sports, the USA National Games will offer various programs in health, wellness and education. To learn more, visit www.2010specialolympics.org

Co-Sponsors:
Coca-Cola Bottling Companies of Texas, Food Town,
H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust and the Law Enforcement Torch Run

Andi B. Kelly
Public Relations Coordinator
Special Olympics Texas
akelly@sotx.org