SOKY’s Largest Individual-Sport Event Goes Live for First Time Since 2019

The largest individual sport event on the Special Olympics Kentucky calendar, the Special Olympics Kentucky State Bowling Tournament will be LIVE for the first time since 2019 when it returns to Louisville Dec 3-5. Sessions will once again be held at Kingpin Lanes in Jeffersontown and Strike and Spare in Fern Valley.

The Tournament will have a slightly different look this year as for the first time ever the eight Area Bowling Tournaments held in Kentucky in October served as a qualifying event to reach the State Tournament. Athletes and Unified partners who finished first and in some cases second in their divisions at their Area Tournament have advanced to Louisville. That means more than 700 athletes and Unified partners will be on hand to compete.

Athletes compete in the singles event on Saturday, Dec. 4 and then many will return for doubles on Sunday. Unified teams that qualified will also compete on Sunday.

All events are two-games per bowler with total pin fall determining positions.

On Saturday night, athletes will also have the opportunity to take part in the Victory Dance.

The entire 2020 Special Olympics Kentucky bowling season was held in a virtual format due to the COVID 19 pandemic, with athletes competing in their home areas and then having their scores compared across the state for awards. Last year all Area Bowling Tournaments were held live before a late fall COVID surge and concern about crowds forced the State Bowling Tournament to be held remotely for the second year in a row.

Hundreds of volunteers are needed to help ensure that the Tournament runs smoothly. Volunteers primarily serve as lane workers making sure bowling occurs in order and scores are reported accurately to the Tournament directors. Lane workers can work one session, one day or all weekend. For more information about individual and group volunteer opportunities, contact Kelli Firquin at 502-695-8222 or kfirquin@soky.org.

The State Bowling Tournament is sponsored by IBEW Local 369, the Kentucky Wireless Association, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Kentucky, year-round partners Texas Roadhouse and Toyota Motor Corporation, and program partner Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.

For more information about the State Bowling Tournament or the Special Olympics bowling program, contact Holly Vincent at 502-695-8222 or hvincent@soky.org.