Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities

Lucas County Lightning athletes at the opening ceremonies of the Northwest Ohio Regional Championships.

What is Special Olympics?

Lucas County Special Olympics is a nonprofit organization operated by the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities as part of Special Olympics Ohio, which offers year-round athletic competition for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Athletes participate locally during the regular season and strive for postseason berths in Special Olympics' regional, state and national tournaments.

For more information, you can email specialolympics@lucasdd.org or call 419-380-5109. If your athlete is between the ages of 8-15 years old, please email littlelightning@lucasdd.org.

It’s a chance for personal growth and inclusion through healthy community activities.

Registration for Winter Sports is open from September 26 - October 10.

Available Sports

Lucas County Special Olympics offers the below sports as well as unified (Individuals with disabilities playing with typical individuals) basketball, bowling, and golf. Note: Asterisked sports are only offered to athletes who are 16 years and older.

Donate

Volunteer

Lucas County Special Olympics provides individual and team sporting opportunities for Lucas County athletes who are eligible. Athletes must be at least 8 years of age to participate.

Schedules

Coach Pitch Softball

View Schedule

Traditional Softball

View Schedule

News and Highlights

Lucas County Coach Pitch team wins States

Lucas County Special Olympics Coach Pitch team made it to the State competition on September 17 and won! Congratulations to the team and coaches on a game well played and a sweet ending to a fabulous season. Way to go Lightning!

Special Olympics at the Ohio State University Summer Games

Lucas County Special Olympics at State Games

Lucas County Special Olympics sent over 100 athletes and coaches to compete and participate in the state summer games in at the Ohio State University at the end of June! They brought home some medals as well as many everlasting memories. Check out the video highlights here.

Congratulations to all!

Lightning Leaders

Athlete leadership empowers athletes to develop leadership skills and utilize their voices and abilities to take an active role in planning for the growth and development of Special Olympics. Lucas County Lightning Leaders:

Are members of the Athlete Input Council
Help plan Lucas County events
Volunteer in their communities
Mentor and support other athletes
Train other athletes in leadership
Help with fundraisers
Can train to be coaches
Talk to community groups about Special Olympics
Announce and present awards at events

If you are a Special Olympics athlete and would like to become a Lightning Leader, please contact Eric Bostelman at 419-380-4022 or ebostelman@lucasdd.org.

Lucas County athletes along with University of Toledo students battled in the Glass Bowl to claim the title of Unified Flag Football Champions.

Donations

As a nonprofit organization, Lucas County Special Olympics relies on donations and fundraisers to provide sports at no cost to the athletes. All donations directly benefit the athletes by paying for things like registration fees, uniforms, equipment, travel and lodging.

Donations can be sent to:

Lucas County Special Olympics
c/o Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities
1154 Larc Lane
Toledo, OH 43614

Lucas County Special Olympics