UCO Endeavor Games recognized as a Centennial Event
8TH ANNUAL UCO ENDEAVOR GAMES SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 7-10

The 8^th Annual Endeavor Games for Athletes with Physical Disabilities, hosted by the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), has recently been recognized as an official event of the Oklahoma Centennial.  The games will be held at UCO, Edmond North High School and Cheyenne Middle School, June 7-10, 2007.

Activities will start with sport clinics on Thursday, June 7^th, being presented by US Paralympics Staff and Coaches. Clinics will be offered in archery, boccia, powerlifting, shooting, track & field and table tennis.

A new addition to the clinic schedule this year is the Parent Clinics being taught by Karin Korb, BlazeSports America.  These clinics will cover topics such as; giving your child independence, getting the best equipment within the budget and collegiate opportunities for athletes with disabilities.

The clinics are open to anyone and the cost is $10 for Sport Clinics and $5 for the Parent Clinic.  This fee allows the participant to attend multiple sport clinics and also includes lunch.

The Endeavor Games will feature competition in 10 different sports, including archery, boccia, wheelchair basketball, powerlifting, shooting, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis and track & field. Competitions will begin on Friday, June 8^th. Competition is open to novice and advanced athletes of all ages.

In addition, the Games will feature an Opening Ceremony on Friday, June 8^th at UCO’s Hamilton Field House, presented by Chickasaw Nation.  The Ceremonies will feature a special presentation of Native American culture with fancy dancers and drummers leading in our Parade of Athletes.  Our special guest speaker this year is  Karin Korb, two-time Paralympian in tennis.  This year’s Opening Ceremony is recognized as an Oklahoma Centennial Project.

Entry fee for the competition is $25 for one sport (track and field is considered one sport), $30 for two sports, and $35 for three or more.  The fee includes a participant T-shirt, athlete goodie bag, participation in the Opening Ceremony, a lunch and the athlete banquet.

“The clinics are an excellent opportunity for athletes of all ages to come and learn about a new sport,” stated Shelly Ramsey, Event Coordinator, “or they can challenge themselves by competing in the competition.”

“We have had participants that are new to their disability find a connection to sport, something they thought was gone from their lives.”

For more information about participating or volunteering for the Endeavor Games contact Shelly Ramsey, Event Coordinator for Disabled Sports & Events at (405) 974-3151, email sramsey2@ucok.edu.