The Lewisville ISD Special Olympics Texas Team hosted 30 teams from six cities in north Texas at the annual LISD Special Olympics Basketball Tournament Saturday, January 31.  The competitions were held at five Lewisville schools.

The tournament includes all boys, all girls, and mixed teams; competitions were held for all ages and abilities. The Special Olympic delegations from Plano, McKinney, Richardson, and Frisco provided some of the competitors who brought their game to Lewisville to play hard and match skills with their Lewisville counterparts.

Event organizer Larry Lindahl did not have to look far to find the talent needed to make the tournament happen. "We could not have done all this without so many fine people who helped us in many ways.  It starts with LISD principals allowing us to use their gyms.  Then the LISD Special Olympics  folks who put together the tournament.  But the biggest boost comes from the many community volunteers serving as referees, scorekeepers, and set up / cleanup crews in the gyms."

Volunteers included LISD teachers, Mrs Thetford's Flower Mound High School Circle of Friends students, Coach Thomas' Lewisville High School Basketball players, Lewisville High School Lady Farmers, Coach Killough's Flower Mound High School Lady Jaguars Basketball players, adults and young people from St. Anne's church, and numerous friends and family members of the athletes.

 Jim Domer, head of the Lewisville Delegation credits the outpouring of community support for the success of the tournament and the program in general.  “Our mission is provide year round sports training and competitions, stressing sportsmanship and fun.  We are so grateful to the people of Lewisville, and especially LISD for their continued support, giving our athletes the opportunity to compete and grow.” 

For more information about Lewisville ISD Special Olympics Texas Team, or to become an athlete or volunteer visit the website at www.lisdso.org.