WEST POINT, N.Y. – The U.S. Military Academy will host the Hudson Valley Spring Special Olympics at Shea Stadium and Arvin Gym on April 20. 

The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with opening ceremonies at Shea Stadium that continue through 5 p.m. West Point cadets will play a supporting role in volunteering to ensure all participants enjoy a successful event. 

Up to 600 athletes from Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Dutchess, Westchester, Putnam and Ulster counties will take part in organized events. This year’s Grand Marshal is Army Football Head Coach Jeff Monken. 

"It's an honor to be the Grand Marshall of the 49th annual Special Olympics," said Coach Monken. "These athletes embody the same grit and perseverance that our cadets exemplify. Their character and tenacity are inspiring to West Point and our local community."

The competitive events are powerlifting, swimming, and track and field games. Omicron Delta Kappa, the Leadership Honor Society at West Point, hosts the event. Awards are distributed over the course of the day at the end of each athletic event.  

For more information, visit https://www.specialolympics-ny.org/regions/hudson-valley/ 

About West Point:  

The U. S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federal service academy located 50 miles north of New York City. It was founded in 1802 as America's first college of engineering and continues today as the world’s premier leader-development institution, consistently ranked among top colleges in the country. Its mission is to build, educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets to be commissioned leaders of character committed to the Army Values and ready for a lifetime of service to the Army and Nation. For more information, go to www.westpoint.edu.