Special Olympics South Dakota Newsletter

February 21 2026

At the request of the Athlete Leadership Council, SOSD will be amplifying messaging about sportsmanship. Sports are amazing… Please respect the Game.

Most reasonable athletes, parents, and other spectators would agree that sportsmanship is an important aspect of athletics. Although it comes in many forms, everyone can give a few examples of what sportsmanship looks like and what it takes to be viewed as a “good sport”: We shake hands before and after games, we clap for injured players once they show they are okay, and we extend a hand to help an opponent get up off of the ground. These examples are just scratching the surface of displaying good sportsmanship.

It is easy for spectators and athletes to get caught up in a game and become too focused on winning. Although winning is important, it is not always the most important aspect of the game. There is so much to be gained and learned from

an athletic experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Good sportsmanship is one of those life lessons that should be intentionally learned, taught, practiced and reinforced.

A recent study conducted by the NCAA showed that while sportsmanship among players has improved over the years, sportsmanship in the fans and parents has declined. Isn’t it interesting that people in the stands often feel they have more invested than the actual participants.

Here is a good reminder for all of us that there are only four roles during a game: spectator, competitor, official and coach. Everyone involved in athletics would be wise to choose only one of those roles at a time.

Taken from an article written by Brian G. Phelps

Athletes, tell us where you work! We would like to recognize some of our outstanding athlete employees and their employers.

Click Here

NOTE: We have heard from only 11 of you. Come on, Athletes! We know many, many more of you are out there pumping out the work and raking in a paycheck. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

FREE Skyforce Tickets

We have 500 FREE Skyforce tickets for Special Olympics athletes and families for the game on Friday, March 13 at 7:00 PM.

The Sioux Falls Skyforce take on the Stockton Kings at the Sanford Pentagon.

If you are a new parent, or know a new parent of a child with an intellectual disability, this guide was written to help you step into the new world you will be experiencing.

LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN

Black Hills Area Polar Plunges THIS WEEKEND!

The Law Enforcement Torch Run team is heading to the Hills for the weekend!

Join us at one, or all THREE, of these locations in the Black Hills to show your support for Special Olympics South Dakota and the more than 3,000 athletes across the state!

Schedule