2018 WESTERN FALL SECTIONAL. Location: Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA Date: Sunday, September 23, 2018 COACHES HANDBOOK

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1 2018 WESTERN FALL SECTIONAL Location: Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA Date: Sunday, September 23, 2018 COACHES HANDBOOK

2 2018 SPECIAL OLYMPICS PENNSYLVANIA WESTERN FALL SECTIONAL Welcome to the 2018 Western Fall Sectional! This year s Western Fall Sectional will host competition in bocce, LDR/W, soccer, and volleyball (teams and individual skills). In addition to great competition and spacious facilities, the athletes will also enjoy Olympic Village. This year s Event Directors are Brandon VanWormer, Katherine Harry, Tim Schwartzfager, and Corey Middleton. Along with their games management team, they have been hard at work to produce a great event! This handbook is provided as a supplement to the material that your delegation has already received through . Please review this document carefully. There will be additional handbooks available at the registration table the day of the event. If you have any questions prior to or during the event, please contact Mike Ermer, SOPA Liaison, or mermer@specialolympicspa.org. We sincerely hope that the efforts of the management team, committee, staff and volunteers will bring you and your competitors many great memories. And now, let the games begin! Good Luck to you and your athletes!

3 EVENT: FACT SHEET 2018 SOPA Western Fall Sectional DATE: Sunday, September 23, 2018 SITE: Slippery Rock University- Slippery Rock, PA Bocce Morrow Field House LDR/W Marching Band Field Soccer Intramural Fields Powerlifting ARC Weight Room Volleyball Individual Skills Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC) Court 3 Volleyball Team Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC) Courts 1 & 2 SOPA LIAISON: FORMAT: Mike Ermer, Western Competition Director (800) Ext. 243 or mermer@specialolympicspa.org (724) Fax One day competition in individual, relay and team events. ATHLETES: 400+ COACHES: 200+ AREAS: All Western Special Olympics Programs currently training in the sports offered. SPORTS OFFERED: Bocce (doubles & Unified Sports doubles) Long Distance Running/Walking Unified Sports Long Distance Running/Walking Powerlifting Soccer (Individual skill, 5v5, and 7v7) Volleyball (Individual skill, traditional team)

4 2018 WESTERN FALL SECTIONAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Time Event Location 8:30-9:00 a.m. Volunteer Registration Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC) Gym A Delegation Registration Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC) Gym B Powerlifters Weigh-In Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC) Weight Room 8:50-9:05 a.m. Head of Delegation Meeting Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC) Kitchen 9:00-9:15 a.m. Opening Ceremonies Staging Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC) Hallway 9:15-9:45 a.m. Opening Ceremonies Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC) Gym A 9:45 a.m. Teams and Volunteers Proceed to Venues: Bocce Morrow Field House LDR/W Marching Band Field Soccer Intramural Fields Powerlifting ARC Weight Room Volleyball Individual Skills Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC) Court 3 Volleyball Team Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC) Courts 1 & 2 10:00 a.m. Head Coaches Meetings: Bocce Morrow Field House (Court #1) LDR/W Marching Band Field Scoring Table Powerlifting ARC Weight Room Soccer Intramural Fields Scoring Tent Volleyball Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC) Court 2 Athlete Warm-up Respective Venues 10:00 4:00 Healthy Habits ARC, MAC, and Morrow Field House 10:15-11:15 a.m. Volleyball Team Preliminary Rounds Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC) Courts 1 & 2 10:15-1:00 p.m. LDR/W Competition Marching Band Field 10:00-11:00 a.m. Powerlifting Competition ARC Weight Room 10:30-11:15 a.m. Soccer Individual Skills Preliminaries Intramural Fields Volleyball Individual Skills Preliminaries ARC Court 3 10:30-11:30 a.m. Soccer Team Preliminary Rounds Intramural Fields 10:30 4:30 p.m. Bocce Competition Morrow Field House 11:00-2:00 p.m. Lunch Respective Venues 11:30 a.m. Volleyball Coaches Divisioning Meeting ARC Court 2 11:30-12:15 p.m. Soccer Individual Skills Finals Intramural Fields 11:45 a.m. Soccer Coaches Divisioning Meeting Intramural Fields Scoring Tent 11:45-3:00 p.m. Volleyball Team Finals Competition ARC Courts 1 & 2

5 12:00-3:30 p.m. Olympic Village Intermural Fields, Field House Morrow Field House 12:00-3:00 p.m. Soccer Team Finals Competition Intramural Fields 12:30-1:30 p.m. Volleyball Individual Skills Finals ARC Court 3 2:00 5:00 p.m. Bocce awards Morrow Field House 1:15 p.m. Powerlifting Awards ARC Gym 1:30 p.m. Soccer Individual Skills Awards ARC Gym 1:45 p.m. Volleyball Individual Skills Awards ARC Gym 2:00 p.m. LDR/W Awards ARC Gym 2:30-3:30 p.m. Volleyball Team Awards ARC Gym 3:00 4:00 p.m. Soccer Team Awards ARC Gym 4:30 p.m. Fall Festival Soccer Team Selections ARC Gym 4:45 p.m. Closing Ceremonies ARC Gym And Morrow Fieldhouse 5:00 p.m. Estimated Departure * Lunch will be served to all athletes, coaches, and volunteers. Lunch tickets can be found inside the credential. Spectators may purchase lunch in the Slippery Rock area. We request that all individual sport athletes complete competition before eating. Water will be provided at all competition venues.

6 2018 WESTERN FALL SECTIONAL INFORMATION Alternates: Alternates will only attend the competition in place of scratched athletes or coaches. Athletes may be registered in only one sport for each competition unless registration forms indicate that registration for or competition in multiple sports is allowed. In addition, an individual may be listed as an athlete or an alternate on only one team. For Individual Sports, alternates must be activated by 5:00 p.m. the Monday prior to the start of a competition in order to be eligible to compete. Individual sports include Alpine Skiing, Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball Skills, Bowling Singles, Cross Country Skiing, Equestrian, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey Individual Skills, Golf, Gymnastics, LDR/W, Powerlifting, Roller Skating, Soccer Skills, Speed Skating, Snowshoeing, Tennis and Volleyball Skills. For Team Sports, we encourage activation by the Monday prior, but will continue to accept scratches and activations of alternates up through the end of registration at the event. Team sports include Basketball (3v3 and 5v5), Bocce Doubles, Bowling Doubles and Four Person Team, Floor Hockey, Soccer (5v5, 7v7 and 11v11), Softball and Volleyball. Forms will be sent to the Sports and Competition Coordinator after the registration deadline for use in submitting all scratches and activations. Remember to use this form for all activations, scratches and score updates by the above deadlines. Attire: Athletes participating in this competition must wear appropriate sports attire (appropriate running shoes, cleats or plastic spikes). A reminder that no commercial advertising may be worn by the athlete during ceremonies, competition or awards. If an athlete is not appropriately attired, they will not be able to participate. Denim pants or shorts are not appropriate for any competition. Athletes traveling long distances who may not have time to change should arrive in appropriate attire. T-shirt color Please refrain from wearing solid red or orange T-shirts during special events. Special events include Opening and Closing Ceremonies, dances and Olympic Village. Red denotes our medical team and orange, our security team. We have chosen these colors so our essential volunteers can easily be identified and quickly located during a time of need at our special events. Awards: Awards will be presented at the conclusion of competition (see schedule). Athletes placing first, second or third in their division receive a gold, silver or bronze Special Olympics Sectional Medal. Athletes placing fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth in their division will receive the pertinent ribbon. Athletes who are disqualified or do not finish will receive a participant ribbon. Athletes who do not compete or are disqualified for misconduct will not receive an award. Any athlete/team that is disqualified for breaking the Honest Effort Rule will receive a participation ribbon. If a tie occurs, the two teams/individuals will receive the same placement and the next team/individual will receive the placement for the order they crossed the finish line. Example: If two teams tie for first place the two teams receive gold medals and the next placed team receives bronze medals.

7 Coaches: All delegations are required to bring a 1:4 coach/athlete ratio for all competitions. This means that there must be one volunteer coach for every four athletes. It is the responsibility of each coach to be neat in appearance and well groomed. A coach should dress in an appropriate manner for competition and wear clothing that is moderately fitting and in good taste. We encourage coaches to set good sports examples for their athletes, which includes not wearing denim pants/shorts during competition. Assistant coaches attending one-day events must be 16 years of age or older and overnight event assistant coaches and head coaches must be a minimum of 18 years of age. All head coaches must be at least 18 years old at either overnight or one-day events. All coaches must have one role during trainings or, in particular, during competitions. This means that sport directors, heads of delegation, officials or games management team members may not be registered as Unified Sports partners or coaches and may not chaperone family members during competition. Coaches Sport Certification: One coach from each sport must be certified. If the program cannot provide at least one certified coach, that delegation will need to scratch that specific sport. In addition, there must be one certified Head Coach for each team in a team sport. For more information on sport certifications contact jtresp@specialolympicspa.org Concussion Training Certification: All SOPA coaches (volunteer with or without a coach certification who trains athletes) must complete a Concussion Training course. There are two options available online, both are free. Once completed place your name & county in the certificate (ex. Jennifer Tresp, Centre) in the certificate and forward the certificate to sportstraining@specialolympicspa.org. You may use concussion training for continuing education once every nine years. Just include a Sports Training Application listing the sports you would like to update with your certification. National Federation of State High School Associations Concussion in Sports training course which is available at The Center for Disease Control s Heads-Up Concussion in Youth Sports training course, which is available at Credential: Credenials are non-transferable due to participant safety reasons, etc. Each credential may only be worn by the person whose name is on the front of this credential for this event. Please see the registration policy in this handbook for those in violation of this policy. Departure: Before departing, each head coach should return all athletes and coaches' credentials, bibs and evaluation forms to the registration table or box outside of the auditorium. Please dispose of the ID card inside the credential holder before returning it. Directions: Directions From Erie, PA, and North Take I-79 south to the Slippery Rock exit, #105. Take a left off of the exit and follow Route 108 to the light at Route 173 (Main Street). Take a right onto Main Street and follow it to the second traffic light and turn left onto Keister Road. Follow Keister Road to the lower entrance to campus (beyond Old Thompson Field on your left).

8 Turn left into the entrance then turn right. Take the first right on to Stadium Drive and follow the signs and park in the East Lake parking lot on the right. It should take you approximately 10 minutes to travel from I-79 to the Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC). Directions From Pittsburgh, PA, and South Take I-79 north to the Slippery Rock exit, #105. Take a left off of the exit onto Route 108 to the light at Route 173 (Main Street). Follow the above directions to the campus. Directions From Bloomsburg, PA, and East Take I-80 West to I-79 South. Follow the above directions to the campus from Erie. Directions From The West Take I-80 East to I-79 South. Follow I-79 South to the Slippery Rock exit, #105. Take a left off of the exit onto Route 108 to the light at Route 173 (Main Street). Follow the above directions to the campus. Divisioning: Divisions will be determined based upon gender, prior competition, and entry times or scores for individual sports and team skills assessment scores and classification rounds for team sports. Bocce - divisioned based on the teams entry score LDR/W divisioned based on entry scores Powerlifting divisioned by athletes gender, body weight, and Wilkes Formula if necessary Soccer: Skills - divisioned based on their prelim scores Team - divisions will be discussed immediately following preliminary competition at the head coach s divisioning meeting. Please see the schedule for exact time and location. In order for the divisioning committee to determine fair divisions, top players must start each preliminary game. o Volleyball: Skills divisioned based on their prelim scores Team - divisions will be discussed immediately following preliminary competition at the head coach s divisioning meeting. Please see the schedule for exact time and location. In order for the divisioning committee to determine fair divisions, top players must start each preliminary game. Emergencies: In case of a seriously injured participant or an unusual situation which may impact the program or the welfare of a participant, please see the medical staff in red shirts (near First Aid signs) immediately and notify Mike Ermer or another SOPA staff member. A First Report of Accident (Incident Report) Form should be completed by the medical staff and head coach and submitted to Mike Ermer. Coaches should keep a copy of each athlete's medical with them or put it in each athlete's credential holder. Lost Athletes: If an athlete should become lost the following steps should be taken:

9 o Contact a SOPA staff member or a committee member (in a PURPLE t-shirt), preferably one with a walkie-talkie. o You should also contact your head of delegation and head coach. Inclement Weather (Rain/Snow Plans): If any event is to be canceled or changed due to weather, all heads of delegation will be contacted by 5:00 p.m. Saturday evening. There is no rain date. Inclement Weather: If an event or a portion of an event is rained out unfortunately we do not have enough time to reschedule before the State Event. Here is what happens to the qualifier sports that are rained out: All teams who indicated (on their team roster due with the delegations entry forms) they were interested in attending the State Games are placed in a hat. Teams are drawn until all allocations are full. Two or three alternate teams are drawn. Program Sports & Competition Coordinators as well as Managers will be notified after the drawing. Equipment: Athletes and delegations should bring their own regulation personal equipment (pads, shin guards, belts, etc.) and warm-up balls. All venue and court equipment (i.e. pylons, nets, competition balls, etc.) will be provided. Athletes participating in this competition must wear appropriate sports attire for competition (i.e. appropriate running shoes or spikes (no steel); shorts and shirts for other sports; no denim). Please clearly label all personal equipment with full name and delegation. You may contact the information table before departure or the Pittsburgh office at x 243 after the event for lost items. Facilities: Changing facilities will be available in the Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC): Bocce will be held in Morrow Fieldhouse with six courts. Soccer 5v5 and individual skills will be held at the Intramural fields. Long distance running and walking will be held on the fields behind the ARC. Powerlifting will be held in the ARC Weight Room. Volleyball team and individual skills will be held in the Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC). Forfeits: Any coach who elects to forfeit a game or individual match must seek approval of the sports rules committee. If approved, the team will take a loss for that game or match. If denied, the team must play the opposing team or be disqualified from the tournament. If a tournament tie occurs, all competition from the disqualified team will be disregarded from the standings. The team who forfeits receives 0 points. The opponent in volleyball receives 25 points (25 for each game-best of three match), the opponent for bocce will receive 12 point, and for soccer the opponent will receive 2 points (1 for each half). Headquarters: There will be an information table as well as a lost and found area at the Aebersold Recreation Center (ARC), Morrow Field House and Soccer Practice Fields. This will contain news about Special Olympics and other event activities. There will be a volunteer there to answer any questions or direct athletes and coaches. Please check this area for lost and found before leaving for the day or call the Pittsburgh office after the event for missing items. Honest Effort Rule:

10 Honest Effort Rule (HER) is in effect. Athletes, partners and coaches who do not participate honestly and with maximum effort in all events, or in a sportsmanlike manner, will be disqualified from current and possibly future events. Any athlete or partner disqualified for the HER will receive a participation ribbon. Team Sports (Soccer and Volleyball) The divisioning committee or sports rules committee reserves the right to change a team s division during final competition (this will take place during the 1 st or 2 nd game in pool play). Timed/Measured Individual Sports (such as Long Distance Running/Walking) Athletes racing/scoring 25% faster/better than their best time/score (either prelim or entry score) will receive a participation ribbon. The HER does not pertain to individual skills in team sports. At sectionals where long distance running/walking does not have preliminary competition, entry times will be used. Updated scores and times will be accepted until 5:00 pm on the third day prior to competition to ensure that no athletes are disqualified due to the HER. Housing: Any overnight accomodations will be the expense and responsibility of the delegation. If you are planning on staying overnight please look outside of the area. Meals: Lunch will be provided for all athletes, coaches and volunteers. A meal ticket will be placed in the credential of each registered athlete and coach. You must have a meal ticket to receive lunch. After athletes, volunteers and coaches are fed, extra lunches will be available for family members at 2:00 p.m. Lunch will consist of sub, fruit, chips and a drink. Delegations are responsible for all other meals. A listing of local restaurants can be found in the back of this handbook. Protests: Protests may be filed by the certified head coach only. Any other person attempting to file a protest will be immediately rejected. The head coach must file the protest within thirty (30) minutes after the completion of the protested competition or event. All forms may be obtained and must be submitted to the scorer's/announcer's table at the venue for the venue coordinator. The rules committee will then rule on the protest. The members of the sports and games rules committee will be announced at each head coaches meeting. The head coach filing the protest will be notified of the decision. He may then decide to appeal a rejected protest to the games rules committee (submit to scorer's table) and have the games committee paged. Protests may be filed based on a misinterpretation of a playing rule or on the failure of a judge or official to apply the correct rule or penalty. No protests will be accepted on matters involving a judgement call by officials. Qualifiers Soccer 5v5 teams and 7v7 teams will be drawn in the weeks following the event. We will determine qualifying numbers once all team registration is received from all 3 regions. Bocce qualifiers will be drawn the week following the event. Refund Procedure:

11 If Special Olympics Pennsylvania cancels the event due to inclement weather or due to another unforeseen circumstance and no competition occurs, then a full refund will be issued to each program for the affected sport. If a county scratches all or part of their delegation after the letter of intent deadline, then no refunds will be provided to the program. You are responsible for any requested or athletes granted whether they attend the event or not. Registration: Only the head of delegation can check in at the registration table and declare the number of scratches in each sport at this time. They should return all credentials of scratched athletes to the registration table. A welcoming packet will be provided which will contain the following: Athlete Credentials (meal tickets inside) & Coaches Credentials (meal ticket inside) Any Updated Information Bocce Pool Play Sheets, LDR/W heat sheets, Volleyball & Soccer Prelim Schedules Registration Policy: All Special Olympics Pennsylvania programs will register athletes with SOPA (on a local or state level competition) according to the procedures governing any particular event. If anyone is not pre-registered at any given event and it is brought to the attention of a volunteer or staff member, the following will take place: The coach will be directed to stop the activity until arrangements for home transportation are finalized. This transportation will be the responsibility of the program in violation. After a complete review and verification of the circumstance by the manager of the home program, the event liaison and the president of SOPA, and it is determined that the coach/volunteer did in fact cause the deception intentionally, she will be removed from our volunteer listing for no less than one year. Special Events: There will be two Olympic Villages going in the afternoon at Morrow Fieldhouse and the ARC for those athletes that are not competing. Spectator Seating: We welcome all friends, families and spectators to attend our events. Please remind all spectators of the following seating areas - Acceptable Areas Unacceptable Areas Bocce Ends of court, lawn chairs recommended Within reaching distance of the courts LDR/W In the bleachers or marked area near start or finish area On the Course Soccer Pavilion or lawn chairs (recommeded to bring) along the field marked for spectators On the field or on the team area/benches Volleyball At the end of the courts On the court or on the team area/benches Powerlifting Spectator seating area On the fitness center equipment Transportation:

12 Each area/county will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the event. Please plan on using your transportation to travel from venue to venue. Volunteers: Please make requests for volunteer escorts at registration. Anyone wishing to volunteer should register at the time noted in the schedule. All volunteers are assigned during Opening Ceremonies staging FALL SECTIONAL SPORTS RULES AND SOPA MODIFICATIONS Bocce Measurements To be consistent across the state the following measuring will be used at all sectional and state events. О О Place the zero end of the tape measure at the center base of the bocce ball. Pull the measuring tape back until it is directly above the pallina. Record this distance in centimeters. If the bocce and pallina are touching the score is zero.

13 Do you have a Local Event that includes the allocated sports? Criteria for Advancement to Higher Level Competition This Procedure works for Individual and Team Sports YES SAS NO After the event - Place all Gold Medalists names into a hat. Randomly draw names for allotted slots. Do you have enough Gold Medalists? Place all eligible athlete names into a hat and pull names to fill allotted slots. YES NO Place all Silver Medalists names into a hat. Randomly draw name for allotted slots. Do you have enough Silver Medalists? YES NO Place all Bronze Medalists names into a hat. Randomly draw names for allotted slots. Do you have enough Bronze Medalists? Include all names drawn plus alternates and submit to the appropriate Competition Director s Office by the due date for the Athlete Roster. YES SAS NO Continue this process until all allotted slots are filled with 4 th 8 th place ribbon recipients.

14 2018 WESTERN FALL SECTIONAL COACHES RESPONSIBILITIES Coaches attending this and all events must accept and adhere to the following responsibilities: Athletes or coaches may not change events the day of competition from the listed events on the entry forms. They may scratch athletes from events, however. The head coach should have a copy of each athlete's participation application (medical) or place a copy of the application in athlete's credential holder. Technology is becoming more and more a part of our lives. Please be mindful of this and enforce the appropriate use of cameras, imaging and digital devices. For example, use of such devices in showers, restrooms, or other areas where privacy is expected by participants is prohibited. Do not leave your athlete unattended at any point. Keep the athletes safety and welfare in mind at all times. Be sure that prescribed medications are taken at appropriate times. Do not let volunteers hold the athlete's medication. Orient each volunteer on their assigned athlete. The volunteer should be acquainted with the athlete's event schedule, medical and physical needs, and behavioral habits. Accompany or have an assistant coach or athlete escort all athletes to activities. Remember athlete escorts are not to be used in place of an assistant coach. Do not consume any alcoholic beverages or any controlled substances such as cigarettes or chewing tobacco. Know when and where all activities are taking place and ensure your athletes are there on time. Be responsible for all athletes and their actions during the day (see Code of Conduct). Head coaches are responsible for having athletes present at the staging area when events are announced. Absolutely no coaches or spectators will be permitted beyond the staging area unless a specific request is made at the head coaches meeting. Any special needs athletes requiring additional assistance should be declared at this meeting. Ensure completion of accident report if needed, and return it to the SOPA liaison. Return all credential holders, without ID labels, at the registration table or in the designated box before departing. Complete and return evaluation forms to help improve the event for you and your athletesfor next year. Help athletes to complete an evaluation also. Thank you for your help and cooperation!

15 WHY SPECIAL OLYMPICS OFFICIALS ENFORCE RULES Taken from the 1991 Special Olympics International Games Volunteer Handbook If you watch a coach working with Special Olympics athletes, you will notice a great deal of emphasis on learning the rules. Also, if you watch a Special Olympics competition, you will see officials strictly enforcing those rules. Because Special Olympics is a sports program for people with intellectual disabilities, people sometimes question the "fairness" of such strict rule enforcement. As veteran coaches will tell you, knowing and playing by the rules is one of the biggest benefits Special Olympics offer its athletes. Why? 1. Special Olympics athletes are capable of learning and competing within sports rules. Challenging them in this manner adds to the pride and sense of accomplishment they experience. 2. It is unfair to athletes who are properly trained and who are following the rules to compete against others who are not. 3. Many Special Olympics athletes eventually move on to other sports programs (in schools, recreation departments, etc.). They will be better prepared for that transition if learning and competing by rules is one of the skills they take with them. Special Olympics uses organized sports training and competition as a vehicle for children and adults with mental retardation to grow as complete individuals. Enforcing sports rules plays an important role in that process. Join us in helping Special Olympics athletes discover how much they can do.

16 Dear Special Olympics Pennsylvania Games participant, Your safety and well-being are our number one priority! Since we are now in the cold and flu season, the health and safety of all volunteers and athletes is of particular importance to us. The purpose of this document is to inform you of things that can be done to reduce the introduction and spread of any virus. HEALTH TIPS: Please practice good hygiene habits and take the following everyday precautions: o Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don't have a tissue, sneeze into the arm area of your clothing. o Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze or touch surfaces that you suspect could be contaminated (e.g., hand holds on public transportation). Alcohol-based (50% alcohol) hand sanitizers are also effective. o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. One may also need to think about how liberal they are with handshakes and remember periodic hand washing. o Most importantly, please stay home if you get sick, or if you need to care for your dependent who gets sick. Contact a doctor if you have flu-like symptoms-fever, sore throat, aching and/or joints, cough, stuffy or runny nose. If you get sick, you should stay home from work, school or camp and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. o Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until they are healed and avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages. o Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, or clothing. o Routinely clean all areas and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact (like doorknobs, faucets and handrails). o Do not share cups, glasses, dishes, or cutlery. WARNING SIGNS OF ILLNESS: Do you have a sore throat? Do you have a fever of 100 degrees or more? If you are unable to take your temperature using a thermometer, look for these signs: o Your face may become red in color o Your skin may be hot to touch or moist If you have a fever and answered yes to the other questions above, you may have the flu and are encouraged to seek medical attention and avoid attending work, school, camp or our Games. UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS : With the recent spread of a variety of infectious diseases world-wide, Special Olympics Pennsylvania urges everyone to employ standard precautions while at the Games. Standard precautions, or universal precautions, require everyone, to assume that anyone's blood and body fluids may carry an infectious agent. Standard precautions require you to always have a barrier between any infectious substance and your skin, eyes, gums or the inside of your nose. Infectious substances include blood and all body fluids, secretions and excretions, (except sweat) even if they do not contain any visible blood. UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS: The following steps must be taken to protect against contamination from infected blood or body fluids of another person, or from injury by a contaminated sharp object: Wash hands frequently to reduce the risk of exposure to blood borne diseases. Wear gloves if there is even a possibility you might have contact with another person s body fluids. [Note: Gloves are a barrier and are your defense between your body and the body fluids from someone else. Barriers will help prevent infectious diseases like HIV, Hepatitis A & B, Staphylococcus (Staph), and Streptococcus (Strep). If gloves are not available, in an emergency use a plastic bag, gauze, newspaper, or paper towel. ] After the removal of gloves or after exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, wash hands with antibacterial soap. Wear gloves once and discard; do not attempt to wash and reuse. Clothing or supplies contaminated with body fluids should be placed in doubled plastic bags and tied. Assume all blood or body fluids are contaminated and potentially harmful to your health. Competition Guidelines: Athletes who have open lesions, wounds, dermatitis, etc., should cover the area with a dressing that will prevent contamination from other sources.

17 Competitions should be interrupted when an athlete has a wound in which a large amount of exposed blood is present, to allow the bleeding to be stopped, and the area and athlete to be cleaned. If blood or body fluids are transferred from an injured or bleeding athlete to the intact skin of another athlete, the event must be stopped, the skin cleaned with antimicrobial wipes to remove gross contaminate, and the athlete instructed to wash with soap and water as soon as possible. Return to play is determined by appropriate medical staff personnel and/or sport officials. Clean Up and Disposal of Waste: Spills of blood and body fluids must be handled using Universal Precautions Procedures. The spill must be cleaned up immediately. The method recommended by The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is: Wear protective gloves. Mop up spill with paper towels or other absorbent material. Clean contaminated area using a disinfectant (Bleach and Water). Soiled linen, towels, uniforms, and so forth should be tagged and washed in hot water with a detergent this is known to inactivate HIV and HBV. When possible, disposable towels should be used. Dispose of all gloves, towels, dressings, table paper and other waste in sealed doubled plastic bags. Sources: NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook; 2014 Amateur Athletic Union Trampoline & Tumbling Handbook; Louisburg, KS Unified School District 416 Guidelines.

18 SAFETY AND SECURITY OVERALL POINTS OF INTEREST Please be sure to read over the following safety and security points. As always, the safety of all Special Olympics participants is the utmost priority. As a coach, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of the athletes in your care. A. Be sure all athletes and coaches wear their credentials at all times. B. Be generally aware of your surroundings. Seek out a SOPA security volunteer or staff member if anything seems suspicious to you. C. Carry a copy of all athlete medicals and coach volunteer forms (updated ones listing medical concerns and insurance information) with you at all times. D. Carry emergency phone numbers (back page of the coaches handbook) with you at all times. E. Meet and get to know any day of volunteers who are assigned to your group. F. Be sure athletes know not to go off alone with unknown persons or to carry anything for anyone. G. Carry a cell phone if you have one and write down/carry cell phone numbers of other coaches in your delegation. H. If you are an HOD, make sure that the games committee has your number. I. Remember that there is a zero tolerance policy in effect for any pranks concerning safety issues by athletes, coaches, and volunteers. Anyone violating this policy will be asked to leave the event with potential for further action. J. Set up (if not already in place) a phone chain with parents and families back home so that they can be notified of an early arrival or a change/cancellation in the schedule, which may happen before, during, or at the end of the event. K. Carry a flashlight in your backpack. MEETING POINTS IN EVENT OF EMERGENCY Meeting Sites: Kennedy Center Softball Fields If there is a fire at a venue and you need to leave the facility, be sure coaches have accounted for all their athletes and fellow coaches. When leaving the building, follow instructions of SOPA staff/facility personnel and use nearest exit door. Stay where instructed until notified by SOPA staff. PROCEDURES FOR TOTAL EVACUATION FROM AREA If SOPA has to ask delegations to evacuate from the Games completely, the following procedures will be followed: A. SOPA will notify each HOD by phone or through a meeting (if time permits) of need to evacuate. We have a master list to ensure we contact everyone. B. If we are only leaving the vicinity and not the Games entirely, we will provide a meeting point and directions. C. If the Games have been cancelled and we are sending delegations home, we will give you any time constraints and any evacuation routes to follow if appropriate. D. HOD will account for all coaches, athletes and their belongings. E. HOD will secure transportation for trip out of area. F. Once everyone is accounted for, HOD will call (607) and either talk to Mike Ermer, or leave a message on voice mail with the following information: a. Your name and delegation b. Time of departure and final destination c. If possible, phone number where delegation can be reached (cell phone of HOD, coach, or bus company if available) G. If an athlete is missing and delegation is ready to depart, contact a staff person at the venue you are leaving from. If time is crucial and you need to leave the area, one staff person and one coach/volunteer from your delegation will stay behind to look for missing athlete and rest of delegation will depart. Once the athlete is found, the coach and staff person will make plans to either meet up with the delegation if nearby, or staff person will arrange to take all parties back to home program.

19 SPECTATOR GUIDELINES (These guidelines are for all SOPA events training, competitions, fund raising, social, etc.) As fans (family, friends, and supporters) of Special Olympics Athletes, you can play a positive role at SOPA events by following these suggested guidelines: 1. Please refrain from using abusive or offensive language towards anyone - especially toward officials, coaches, and opponents. Lead by positive example. Keep your emotions under control. Don t let your emotions interfere with our mission or oath. Remember, these individuals are volunteers and amateur athletes. It may help if you understand the rules of the event. If you need further information or clarification, ask your home program for a copy of the rules pre-event or during the season so you re a wellinformed fan/spectator. 2. Special Olympics venues are positive encouraging arenas. Please conduct yourself appropriately. Lead by positive example. De-emphasize winning and losing. Let the coaches coach the players - refrain from shouting instructions. Provide general cheers or positive comments after the fact/play. (Remember to abide by sportspecific rules (i.e., silence at the start of races, during a tee-off in golf)). 3. Spectators are provided designated areas. (You are prohibited in the competition and/or training areas. Only coaches and athletes who are participating may be in these areas.) Failure to comply with the above guidelines may result in penalties being assessed toward your program/team/delegation or you being escorted from the venue. DON T LET THIS HAPPEN! ENJOY BEING A GREAT FAN!

20 SPECIAL OLYMPICS SPECIAL OLYMPICS FIRST REPORT OF ACCIDENT / INCIDENT FIRST REPORT OF A U.S. Program/Area: Date of Incident: Injured Person/Party Information Date of Birth: / / Age: Name: (Last) (First) (MI) Address: (Street) (City) (State) (Zip) Home Phone: ( ) - Work Phone: ( ) - Gender: Male Female Social Security Number: - - Injured Party: Athlete Volunteer Coach Type of Injury/ Accident: Employee Bodily Injury Spectator Property Damage Unified Partner Automobile Property Owner Other: Description of Accident (If automobile accident occurred, please attach a copy of the police report). Describe how the accident occurred (Attach a separate sheet if necessary): Alpine Skiing Site / event where accident occurred: Aquatics Athletics Badminton Accident Occurred During: Disposition: Baseball Training/Practice Released to parent Basketball Competition Refusal of care Bocce Traveling to or from SO event Refer to doctor Bowling Other: Refer to hospital or clinic Medical attention Cheerleading Type of Injury: EMS transport Cross Country Ski Severe cut w/ bleeding Patient requested EMS transport Cycling Less serious bruise or cut Released to personal vehicle Equestrian Break/fracture Police Figure Skating Concussion Ambulance Floor Hockey Paralysis Report only Golf Other: Other: Gymnastics Kickball Sport Power Lifting Relay Game Roller Skating Sailing Snowboarding Snowshoe Soccer Softball Speed Skating Swimming Table Tennis Team Handball Tennis Track & Field Volleyball Other: Body Part Injured: Head Neck Torso Back Hand (L / R) Finger (L / R) Elbow (L / R) Shoulder (L / R) Leg (L / R) Knee (L / R) Thigh (L / R) Shin (L / R) Toe (L / R) Other: Contact / Care Provider Information If an athlete or underage volunteer was injured, please identify the care provider and/or responsible party (e.g. parent, legal guardian). Relationship to the injured person: Employer Name: Name: Employer Address: Address: Work Phone: ( ) - Home Phone: ( ) - Does the injured person have medical insurance? Yes No If yes, insurance is provided by: Injured Person Care Provider/Responsible Party Please provide name of Company and Policy Number: Witness Information (Please provide names and phone numbers of any witnesses to the incident) Witness #1 Name: Daytime Phone: ( ) - Witness #2 Name: Daytime Phone: ( ) - Special Olympics Official / Representative (other than claimant) Name: Daytime Phone: ( ) - Signature: Send completed form to: If injury was serious or a fatality: American Specialty Insurance Services, Inc., P.O. Box 459, Roanoke, IN ; Fax: (260) AND one copy to Special Olympics Pennsylvania, 124 Washington Square, 2570 Blvd. of the Generals, Norristown, PA or fax (610) IMMEDIATELY notify American Specialty Insurance Services, Inc. Telephone: (800) (24 hours a day / 7 days a week) AMER: SpecOlym Inc. Rep. Form 02-03

21 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Code of Conduct Revised November 2015 In an effort to become a more inclusive organization, Special Olympics Pennsylvania has created a Code of Conduct to help everyone of all ability levels understand how to appropriately conduct themselves and make SOPA a safe and fun organization for everyone involved. GENERAL GUIDELINES Respect & Sportsmanship: I will respect participants, coaches, officials, volunteers, spectators, training/competition facilities, SOPA Staff, and myself. I will respect the decision of officials and SOPA staff and will communicate any difference of opinion I may have in accordance to SOPA guidelines. I will respect all individuals regardless of their ability or limitations. I will demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times regardless win or lose. Behavior: I will wear appropriate attire with pride to the delegation that is required at all times. I will keep my appearance and hygiene appropriate at all times. I will not use profanity or insulting language and/or gestures while representing Special Olympics PA. I will not smoke, use tobacco products, consume alcohol or take any drugs or drugs not prescribed to me while representing Special Olympics PA. I will not take pictures and/or videos of participants, coaches, officials, volunteers, spectators and SOPA Staff that may make them or someone else uncomfortable or are inappropriate. I will not engage in inappropriate contact, relationships, or any other physical/verbal/sexual advances or any conduct that may make someone else feel uncomfortable. I understand SOPA s No Dating Policy between athletes and volunteers/staff and I will contact SOPA s Senior VP of Programming if further explanation is required. I will represent Special Olympics PA with appropriate behavior in competitive and non competitive situations which include, but are not limited to: restrooms, locker rooms, housing and dining facilities. Responsibility for Actions: I know that personal belongings (cell phone, hand held audio/video devices, wallet, keys, etc.) I bring to training, competition, and traveling are my responsibility and my local program and/or SOPA are not responsible. I will express any concerns I may have to the appropriate person in a positive manner. I will obey all local, state and Federal laws. I will follow all rules implemented by SOPA and/ or the host of any other event I am representing Special Olympics PA. ATHLETE/UNIFIED PARTNER GUIDELINES Responsibility for Actions: I will not use my cell phone and any other electronic devices while training and competing unless in an emergency. If I am caught using a personal device at an inappropriate time and/or in an inappropriate manner (i.e. making a phone call/texting during training and competition), I understand the device I used may be taken away by my coach(es) or local management team member for a period of time. I will follow all training, competition and travel instructions by my coach(es). I will stay with my delegation at all times.

22 I will use locker rooms and housing facilities appropriate to my gender. Honest Effort: I will learn and follow the rules of my sport. I will give my best effort while training and competing. I will not hold back during preliminary rounds by playing below my ability level to get placed into an easier division. Well-Being: I will have my Application for Participation current prior to the start of the season. I will communicate all changes that may occur on my Application for Participation during any season. COACH/LOCAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES Responsibility For Actions: I will not use my cell phone and any other electronic devices while training and competing unless in an emergency. I will ensure my team is aware that they may lose the use of their personal electronic devices for a period of time if used inappropriately (i.e. making a phone call/texting during training and competition). I will make sure my team follows instructions while training, competing, and traveling. I will chaperone the athletes and unified partners assigned to me. I will make sure my team uses locker rooms and housing facilities appropriate to their gender. I will make sure my sports knowledge and coaches training is up to date to ensure a positive experience and safety of the athletes. Honest Effort: I will follow the rules of my sport and will educate my team if needed. I will ensure that accurate scores are provided for entry into any event. I will encourage my team to give their best effort during training and competition. I will not encourage my team to hold back during preliminary rounds by playing below their ability level to get placed into an Well-Being: easier division. I will make sure that I always have the most up to date copies of Application for Participation forms for my team during each training and competition. In cases of severe injury and/or illness (i.e. concussion) I will ensure approval of a certified medical professional before allowing a sick/injured member to resume physical activities. I will read and take note of limitations that anyone on my team may have that are included on their Application for Participation. In the event the violation is serious and/or compromises the environment, the individual(s) will be asked to leave the premises. Arrangements for transportation will be made at the expense of the individual(s). Note: All Misconduct Report Forms are kept on file to document recurring violations. SOPA reserves the right to impose stronger sanctions on repeat offenders. All decisions are final and no protests will be accepted.

23 MISCONDUCT/BEHAVIOR REPORT Directions: This form is to be used to document (kept on file) or report misconduct or behavior incidences involving anyone (athlete, volunteer, staff, spectator, etc.) with Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Once fully completed, please forward to the appropriate individual(s) (Program Manager, Event Director, SOPA Staff, etc.) who will follow up as appropriate. Please be sure that your Program Manager receives a copy for his/her files and any future incidences involving the same individual(s). NOTE: Please consult your program manager or SOPA staff before imposing suspension(s). THIS REPORT SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND FORWARDED FOR FOLLOW UP WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE INCIDENT. WHO was involved? Name: Name: Address: Address: City, State: City, State: Day Phone #: ( ) Day Phone #: ( ) Evening Phone #: ( ) Evening Phone #: ( ) SOPA Program: SOPA Program: Name: Name: Address: Address: City, State: City, State: Day Phone #: ( ) Day Phone #: ( ) Evening Phone #: ( ) Evening Phone #: ( ) SOPA Program: SOPA Program: WITNESS PERSON completing this report Name: Name: Address: Address: City, State: City, State: Day Phone #: ( ) Day Phone #: ( ) Evening Phone #: ( ) Evening Phone #: ( ) SOPA Position: SOPA Position: SOPA Program: SOPA Program: WHERE (venue court, hotel room, training site locker room, fundraising event, etc.) did the incident occur? Name of SO Event: City: Exact Location: WHEN did the incident occur? (Please provide as much detail as possible.) Date Day Time -OVER-SIDE TWO-

24 WHAT occurred? (Please provide as much detail as possible.) WHAT action or follow up occurred on site or to date? here if not involved with the follow up: If more room is needed, please attach additional sheets. RESULT/ACTION taken? For SOPA or Local Program Use Only Date by which authority (Manager, SOPA, official, etc.) will notify parties involved: Timeframe for the result/action? (I.e., Suspended for a year, overnight travel restricted for a month, etc.) Beginning Date End Date WHO conducted the result/action? Name: Address: City, State: Day Phone #: ( ) Evening Phone #: ( ) SOPA Program: SOPA Position/Relationship to Athlete: ADDITIONAL information pertinent to this situation/athlete(s): Cc: Manager, SOPA (Event Staff Liaison, Field Director, etc.) Parent/Guardian of Athlete\ Other: Revised October 21, 2003

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26 Emergency Numbers Pittsburgh Office ext. #243 Mike Ermer, Western Competition Director Cell Phone SRU University Police Emergency 911 Slippery Rock Borough Police Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Depart Poison Control Department of Health Grove City Medical Center Directions: Turn rightout of the campus on Kiester St. Turn right on Main St. Turn right on Franklin St. Bear left for Route 173. Take Route 173 to Grove City. Turn left on Route 58 at Grove City College. Turn right at first light onto Route 173. The hospital is a dark brick building on the left. There are also blue hospital signs in town to follow. Butler Memorial Hospital Directions: Traveling East on Main Street, follow as it turns intocentreville Pike/PA-173. At the juncture of Rt. 8, take a right towards Butler. At Route 422, go East one exit to Jefferson St., PA-68. Take a right on to Jefferson St. The hospital is located at 480 E. Jefferson St.