FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 19, 2004

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY STUDENTS CELEBRATE TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS OF SPECIAL GAMES FOR LOS ANGELES ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
Daylong Event Held at Loyola Marymount University On March 20

INFORMATION
- For the 27th straight year, LMU will host the annual Special Games events for local adults and children with physical and mental disabilities on Saturday, March 20, beginning at 8 a.m. in Sunken Gardens located at the center of the LMU campus. Media should enter the campus at the LMU Drive entrance, just off Lincoln Blvd. (two blocks south of the Lincoln Blvd. and Jefferson intersection) and ask at the guard gate for further directions.

- The LMU Special Games, which costs between $15,000-$20,000 annually to produce, has been funded, organized, maintained and run entirely by the efforts of LMU students for the past 26 years. Participation in the event is free.

- Established in 1977 with less than 90 athletes, Special Games has grown to include more than 40 team leaders, more than 300 athletes, nearly 300 student coaches, and about 150 volunteers annually. This event is funded exclusively by outside donations

- Originally affiliated with the Special Olympics, in 1978 the LMU event, renamed the Special Games, broke away from the national organization to also include those with physical needs, in addition to those with mental disabilities.

VISUALS AND SOUNDS:
- Led by a torchbearer, nearly 800 Special Games Athletes, Coaches and Volunteers, with large, painted banners, will form a parade procession to the Sunken Gardens, starting from Loyola Blvd. entrance of LMU at 9:15 a.m.

- Lighting the Special Games torch on stage surrounded by nearly 800 cheering people at 10 a.m.

- Athletes, coaches and volunteers participating in fun event activities, such as basketball, bowling, art and crafts, dancing and more, beginning at 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

- Athletes' medal ceremony at 2:10 p.m.

For more information, please contact Teresa Cheng at 310.338.2728, or via email at teresacheng83@yahoo.com.

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