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Lucas County Special Olympics

Lucas County Lightning Cheer Team
Lucas County Lightning at Winter Games 2024

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. To learn more about this program, get an application, register for current season or to contact us, click here.***

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

Registration for Fall Sports is open until August 30.

Register (16+) Now

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.

  • Alpine skiing*
  • Aquatics (swimming)
  • Basketball
  • Bocce*
  • Cheer
  • Flag football*
  • Bowling (ages 8-15 only)
  • Golf
  • Power lifting*
  • Softball*
  • Tennis
  • Track and field
  • Volleyball*
     

 

Schedules

LCSO Softball Coach Pitch

Coaches Aleesha and Kristen

LCSO Traditional Softball

Coaches Rob, Olivia, Tammy

News and Highlights

LCSO at the Ohio State University Summer Games

Lucas County Lightning Brings home medals

Lucas County Special Olympics took 91 athletes to Columbus for Ohio's Summer State Games. They returned with 91 medals.

 

A Team Playing Basketball

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.

State Flag Football Championships
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

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