30 Sep 2025 The Arkansas Diamonds Delegation gather for Special Olympics Arkansas Media Day

Posted at 6:01 PMh in News by

Special Olympics Arkansas (SOAR) participated in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Team Arkansas Media Day on Sept. 14 at Hendrix College in Conway. SOAR’s 90-person delegation will compete in the Special Olympics USA Games in June 2026 in Minnesota. To prepare for that, the team participated in Media Day, which included storytelling, photos, athlete-led interviews, and healthy goals stations to learn more about the athletes, coaches and Unified partners.

Team Arkansas Basketball was “Loving LIFE” as they posed for 501 LIFE during the media day event. Justin Cogburn (from left), D’Vonte Cook, Derek Smith, Jerel Akins, Caleb Smith, Haydin Vandenberg, Jeremy Vanscoy, Richie Foster and Craig Morehead. Narkevis Arnold (floor).

SOAR provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is a national celebration of inclusivity, changing perceptions, and the ability of the human spirit to rise above limitations.

Photos by Najeé Fletcher

The USA Games, with co-presenting partners Jersey Mike’s Subs and UnitedHealthcare, will be one of the biggest U.S. sporting events of the year, drawing tens of thousands of fans to celebrate the abilities of more than 3,000 athletes from all 50 states as they compete in 16 Olympic-type team and individual sports.