30th Annual Winter Games in Dubuque Jan. 11-13
Special Olympics Iowa (SOIA) will hold the 30th Annual Winter Games in Dubuque Jan. 11-13 with more than 375 athletes from 47 delegations across the state set to compete in Alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, short-track speed skating and figure skating.
More than 170 coaches and chaperones, along with more than 300 volunteers, will join the athletes and make the event a success. The Grand Harbor Center, Sundown Mountain, Albrecht Acres and Mystique Community Ice Center will host the competitions and activities.
Thank You Area Directors!
Thousands of volunteers are utilized each year at both the area and state levels to facilitate and manage sports competitions for the athletes. The key volunteers for scheduling and implementing the area competitions are the area directors. These volunteers understand and promote the Special Olympics mission, goals and philosophies.

Area directors ensure that quality Special Olympics sports training programs and athletic competition events are available to all eligible individuals in their assigned geographic area. They serve as the manager and team leader of all volunteers working in their local area. In addition to all of their program responsibilities, the area directors must also ensure financial support to sustain the area competitions.
FIT Program Success: Fall and Winter Sports 
The fall Fitness Improvement Training (FIT) athletes have found success with the FIT Program! Thirty-two athletes have completed the program thus far by finishing the pre-assessment, FITness training, and post-assessment.

These athletes are split between four delegations. Delegation 1 performed the 10-station assessment with an average improvement of 37.82 percent among its three athletes. Delegation 2 saw an overall average improvement of 24.92 percent in their modified 5-station assessment with sixteen athletes. Delegation 3 saw an average improvement of 19.13 percent for its five-station assessment as well as an average weight loss of 13.33 pounds per person with the three athletes! Delegation 4 improved by 11.42 percent with the 10-station assessment for 10 athletes.
A Special Offer from iWireless
iWireless is taking donations for SOIA at all of its locations now through Feb. 1, 2016. As part of this partnership, they are offering our athletes, families and volunteers a special deal!

20% off an accessory!
Coach's Corner
Coaches Training Certification Clinics
To see a list of upcoming training clinics, visit our online calendar and click on the Coaches Training check box on the left. If you have questions or would like to register for a course, please contact Rhonda Schwarzkopf.
Jan. 23 - Coach Development Course Training in Cedar Rapids

Upcoming Deadlines
Mid-Winter Tournament - Feb. 19
Entry forms for Mid-Winter Tournament  are now available on the SOIA website. In the Competitions drop list, click on Participation Forms to download the forms you need. 
PLEASE NOTE: Athlete physical forms are also due on Feb. 19.

Announcements
The 2016-2023 Rhythmic Gymnastics routines are now available. Please contact Rhonda Schwarzkopf at rschwarzkopf@soiowa.org or 515-986-5520 to request a computer disc.

Athlete Physical Updates
Reminders and updated for submitting an athlete's Application for Participation were sent out to all coaches. For legal reasons and for the safety of our athletes we have to follow these guidelines. 
Sign Up for a Fundraising Event!
Special Olympics Iowa (SOIA) continues to make a lifelong impact on the lives of our athletes. But the impact extends even farther...changing the lives of those who empower our athletes. Here's your chance to make an impact!

Brrrrrrring on the cold! Whether you plunge solo or with coworkers, friends or family - for the ultimate bonding experience - we'll help you take "cool" up a degree or two. Click the above link to find a Plunge near you!

Are You Ready for Some Football? Pigskin Madness Tickets on Sale Now! 
We're gearing up for the NFL season and our annual Pigskin Madness tickets are on sale now! You have eight chances to win each week of the remaining NFL season! 
Calendar Highlights
For a full listing of events, visit our online calendar.

January
11-13 - Winter Games
19 - Southwest Area Basketball Skills
23 - East Area Basketball
23 - East Central Area Basketball Skills
23 - Coach Development Course Training
23 - South Central Area Basketball Skills
28 - North Area Basketball Skills
30 - West Central Area Basketball Skills
30 - Northwest Area Basketball Skills

February
4 - Des Moines Play Day
6 - West Central Area Conference Basketball
6 - West Region Conference Basketball Tournament
6 - Southeast Area Basketball Skills
9 - Southwest Area Bocce
11 - Central Area Basketball Skills
11 - North Central Area Basketball Skills
13 - Northeast Area Basketball Skills
18 - Oskaloosa Play Day
27 - Des Moines Challenge Day
27 - East Area Aquatics
27 - Warren County Polar Plunge

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