February 21 2026 At the request of the Athlete Leadership Council, SOSD will be amplifying messaging abo ut sportsmanship. Sports are amazing… Please respect the Game. Most reasonable athletes, parents, and other spectators would agree that sportsmanship is an important aspect of athletics. Although it comes in many forms, everyone can give a few examples of what sportsmanship looks like and what it takes to be viewed as a “good sport”: We shake hands before and after games, we clap for injured players once they show they are okay, and we extend a hand to help an opponent get up off of the ground. These examples are just scratching the surface of displaying good sportsmanship. It is easy for spectators and athletes to get caught up in a game and become too focused on winning. Although winning is important, it is not always the most important aspect of the game. There is so much to be gained and learned from   an athletic experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Good sportsmanship is one of those life lessons that should be intentionally learned, taught, practiced and reinforced. A recent study conducted by the NCAA showed that while sportsmanship among players has improved over the years, sportsmanship in the fans and parents has declined. Isn’t it interesting that people in the stands often feel they have more invested than the actual participants. Here is a good reminder for all of us that there are only four roles during a game: spectator, competitor, official and coach. Everyone involved in athletics would be wise to choose only one of those roles at a time. Taken from an article written by Brian G. Phelps Athletes, tell us where you work! We would like to recognize some of our outstanding athlete employees and their employers. Click Here NOTE: We have heard from only 11 of you. Come on, Athletes! We know many, many more of you are out there pumping out the work and raking in a paycheck. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! FREE Skyforce Tickets We have 500 FREE Skyforce tickets for Special Olympics athletes and families for the game on Friday, March 13 at 7:00 PM. The Sioux Falls Skyforce take on the Stockton Kings at the Sanford Pentagon. Register for Tickets If you are a new parent, or know a new parent of a child with an intellectual disability, this guide was written to help you step into the new world you will be experiencing.   LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN Black Hills Area Polar Plunges THIS WEEKEND! The Law Enforcement Torch Run team is heading to the Hills for the weekend!  Join us at one, or all THREE, of these locations in the Black Hills to show your support for Special Olympics South Dakota and the more than 3,000 athletes across the state! Schedule Fri., Feb.20: Lead Polar Plunge Sat., Feb. 21: Spearfish Polar Plunge   Sun., Feb 22: Rapid City Polar Plunge Lead Polar Plunge Spearfish Polar Plunge Rapid City Polar Plunge Location Date Lead February 20 Spearfish February 21 Rapid City February 22 Huron March 6 Brookings March 14 Pierre March 21 Sioux Falls April 18 Learn More SPORTS Special Olympics USA Games Fan Bus Application Applications are open to join us on the fan bus heading to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota in June!  The fan bus will make a one-day trip to Minneapolis on Monday, June 22, 2026. Fill Out Application INFO LIBRARY START YOUR SPECIAL OLYMPICS JOURNEY HERE If you are new to Special Olympics South Dakota and looking for a Delegation, or if you are interested in changing your Delegation, Click Here to get started! This link can also be found on the SOSD website. 2026 Dance Themes The Accessible IEP, LLC is a company dedicated to assisting families with navigating the world of Special Education. Click Here to learn more. Click Here for Website To stay up to date on the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games or to get involved, visit www.2026usagames.org Click Here For Roster Click for the 2026 Schedule of Events TORCH Winter 2024 TORCH Summer 2025 TORCH Winter 2025 3•21 Fun Friends is a social group for families with young children, ages 0-10, who have a disability in the Sioux Falls area. Click to learn more ...read more read less