Team Illinois Arrives in New Jersey!
Cessna, Commercial Flights Travel to USA Games
Team Illinois, plus 3 Project UNIFY participants, traveled to New Jersey on Saturday, June 14, via the Cessna Airlift out of Bloomington-Normal or commercial flight through Chicago's Midway Airport.
 Twenty team members from the southern part of the state met up in Bloomington-Normal on Friday afternoon and later were honored at Opening Ceremonies of the 2014 Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games, where they witnessed Gov. Pat Quinn sign a bill approving a scratch-off lottery ticket to benefit Special Olympics Illinois - the first in the nation!
Athletes, Partners and coaches from the northern part of the state met up in Bedford Park Friday afternoon and enjoyed a relaxing evening before departing for the airport early Saturday morning. Both groups enjoyed wonderful flights and enjoyed heroes welcomes when they arrived at Trenton and Philadelphia airports! View more photos and a video of a friendly competition on the flight to Philly.
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What's Happening Sunday, June 15
Practice Early in Day
Some teams will head to practice sessions on Sunday in the morning before assembling around noon to be bused to the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. for the Opening Ceremony for the USA Games. All practice sessions are closed and families and friends are NOT allowed to attend.
Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony at Prudential Center will feature a star-studded lineup of celebrities, athletes, entertainers and dignitaries. Co-hosted by actress and model Brooklyn Decker and the 2013-14 NBA Rookie of the Year & Philadelphia 76ers point guard Michael Carter-Williams, the evening will also include appearances by actress Jane Lynch, star of FOX's hit show Glee; WWE Superstars Big Show and David Otunga; television personality Jack Ford and other surprise guests.
 New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, 2014 USA Games Chairman & CEO TJ Nelligan and Special Olympics International CEO Janet Froetscher will address the more than 18,000 expected in attendance. The evening will also feature a special performance from the cast of Broadway's Wicked, a one-of-a-kind presentation by performance artist David Garibaldi and musical numbers from Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot, the critically acclaimed Billy Joel tribute band who will debut "Heart of A Champion," a custom song written for this event that will be available on iTunes during the week of the Games. Highlights from the Opening Ceremony will also include the Parade of Athletes and the lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron from the "Flame of Hope."
Families are invited to check at the Family Service Center at Special Olympics New Jersey headquarters in Lawrenceville, N.J., when you pick up your credentials to see if an additional Opening Ceremony ticket might be available for their family if one is needed.
Streaming Live
If you aren't able to attend the festivities in person, you can watch the 2014 USA Games Opening Ceremony live online at https://www.2014specialolympics.org/ from 3-5:30 p.m. CDT or 4-6:30 p.m. ET.
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Families Information
 If your family is in need of an extra ticket to the Opening Ceremony, please check at the Family Service Center at Special Olympics New Jersey headquarters in Lawrenceville, N.J., when picking up your credentials to see if an additional Opening Ceremony ticket might be available for your family.
Other families news:
- We will be hosting an Illinois Families Room at the Holiday Inn in East Windsor, N.J. in Room 303. The room will feature updated information and schedules and will provide families the opportunity to share highlights about their athletes. All families, whether you are staying at the hotel or not, are invited to visit.
- Families will be able to attend the "Sport Showcases" for the various sports (nights differ depending on the sport).
- Families and friends are not allowed to attend Team Illinois training sessions. These are opportunities for the athletes and coaches to bond as a team and focus on their upcoming competition.
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Get Social!
USA Games Mobile App
View Photos from the Games
Games Handles & Tags
These are the official Games social media handles and tags: 2014 USA Games hash tag is #2014USAGames; Twitter - tag @2014USAGames; Facebook - tag https://www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsUSAGames; Instagram - tag @2014SpecialOlympicsUSAGames.
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Schedules, Family Handbook
Games competition schedules and results will be posted to the Games' website daily and in the Families Room at Holiday Inn East Windsor. This will be the best way for those attending or following the Games to get the next day's competitions schedules (posted in the evening) and that day's results. We will also highlight Illinois competition we know is coming up the next day through this newsletter.
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Team Contact Information
If you have questions about Team Illinois, please direction them to the appropriate person:
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Contact:
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Michele Evans, Director of Communications
605 E. Willow St., Normal, IL | Cell: 309-660-8497
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