An Event and a Venue Where Dreams Come True: Special Olympics of Oklahoma Athletes, Coaches & Fans Reflect on Impact of Annual SOOK Event

OKLAHOMA CITY – No USA Softball National Championships were won this week, but for the Special Olympics athletes who took the field at the Softball Capital of the World® this past Wednesday, the celebration rests not in the result, but rather in experiencing the pure joy of being able to play the game as thirty-two teams competed in the junior, senior and master divisions in the Special Olympics Oklahoma (SOOK) Unified State Tournament.

Governed by a state-wide Board of Directors, SOOK is a non-profit organization branching from Special Olympics International – an Affiliated Member of USA Softball whose mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex has served as host to SOOK events in five of the last eight years, with each event showcasing the enriching partnership between the National Governing Body of Softball and Special Olympics.

“This event means the world to us, and the support has been awesome,” said Vice President of Sports and Training for SOOK, John Seals. “The Unified Tournament gives our athletes an identity to play softball with a partner from their school while becoming accepted into that school system. Being here at this complex legitimizes everything we are doing.”

One didn’t have to search to find expressions of appreciation, pride and happiness on the faces of athletes, coaches, parents and fans as it was apparent on virtually every face – But the meaning of the day resonated differently for each of them.

For Broly Campbell, a member of the McCall’s Bulldogs, playing the game of softball is a family affair. With his mother as his head coach and his older sister an NCAA Division I softball athlete, it was his turn to take center stage as he helped his team to a pair of victories on Wednesday morning.

“Being here and meeting new people is the best part of the tournament,” said Campbell. “It’s such a great experience and we’re all having a lot of fun. On top of that, it’s a pretty good feeling to get to play here – I get to brag to all my friends about it,” Campbell added with a smile.

The feelings are similar on the other side of the white lines as well. Head Coach Renee Shoaf’s life changed when she volunteered to work a Special Olympics track and field event in college. As a result of that experience, she has been involved in coaching the Yukon High School Special Olympic teams for the past 13 years.

“The relationship between the athletes and the partners and seeing them work together to form a team is what I love most about this event,” said Shoaf. “It provides them with so many new experiences. Some of the kids on our team have never even been outside our town, so to be able to come and play in the stadium that hosts the NCAA Women’s College World Series is a big deal for them.”

For Terri Sample, watching her son Adam play for the HOK Eagles is more than enough – but seeing what being a part of a team has done for him has been transformational.

“He feels like he is a part of something, and he gets so excited to play,” Sample said. “He’s watched his sisters play softball his whole life and now he is a part of that because of Special Olympics. Being on this team brings out his personality because this is his world. He talks more and gets to do something physical, and it’s really helped him develop his character.”

Spoken by players, coaches and fans at the event, this tournament brings several feel-good emotions to the surface – And playing at the Softball Capital of the World® only heightens the experience.

“This venue and this event gives them the opportunity to have that special moment,” Sample added. “This facility is the best of the best and for him to be out here playing just means everything.”