Special Olympics Connecticut Bocce Competition Returns To West Haven

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — More than 150 athletes competed in the Special Olympics Connecticut Fall Festival bocce competition at the city’s Old Grove Park courts Saturday and Sunday.

The 2024 Unified Sports Fall Festival tournament, presented by Mohegan Sun, showcased Special Olympians from several teams statewide, including West Haven, Hamden, North Haven, Westport and New Milford.

The opening ceremony, held on the grounds of the historic shoreline park Saturday morning, included a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard and the singing of the national anthem by West Haven High School sophomore Barrett Welch.

It also included remarks by Mayor Dorinda Borer, master of ceremonies Lisa Kovlakas, a member of the Special Olympics Connecticut board of directors, and Katie Dennett, Special Olympics’ director of partnerships and corporate relations. Kovlakas is ESPN’s manager of strategic partnerships and corporate citizenship.

Borer thanked Special Olympics Connecticut for choosing West Haven as the host site and organizing the bocce competition. The mayor also welcomed the hundreds of athletes and their families to the city.

“We’re going to be cheering you on!” said Borer, who received a framed certificate of thanks from Kovlakas on behalf of Special Olympics Connecticut President and CEO Michael B. Mason.

The ceremony was attended by state Rep. Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven, and Councilmen Gary Donovan, D-4, and Mackie McMillian, D-5.

As DJ Steve Gourdier played Tina Turner’s “The Best,” bocce competitor Carly Schwartz of Team West Haven Inc. carried the Special Olympics torch into the venue with West Haven Police Chief Joseph S. Perno. The torchbearers received a police escort by Capt. Joseph Romano and Officers Rozimara Ramos and Abdoul Aremu.

“Let the Games begin,” Kovlakas proclaimed.

The city last hosted the bocce competition nine years ago. The courts, six in all, were donated and constructed by Special Olympics Connecticut for the Special Olympics World Games bocce competition in July 1995.

In addition to the bocce competition in West Haven, sailing took place at The Wadawanuck Club in Stonington, softball at the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Club in East Hartford and golf at Sleeping Giant Golf Course in Hamden.

On Sept. 28-29, the croquet competition will take place at the Ocean House in Rhode Island.

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for more than 12,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports partners — their teammates without disabilities.

Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities statewide and in 190 countries worldwide by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for people of all abilities, on and off the playing field.

West Haven Police Chief Joseph S. Perno, right, helps bocce competitor Carly Schwartz of Team West Haven Inc. carry the Special Olympics torch during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Connecticut Unified Sports Fall Festival bocce competition at the Old Grove Park courts in West Haven on Saturday. Standing at attention holding an oversize American flag is the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard, which presented the colors. Behind the torchbearers are police escorts, from left, Officer Abdoul Aremu, Capt. Joseph Romano and Officer Rozimara Ramos. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard carries the American flag during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Connecticut bocce competition in West Haven’s Old Grove Park. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer welcomes Special Olympics Connecticut athletes and their families to the city for the bocce competition. Joining Borer are, from left, West Haven Councilmen Mackie McMillian, D-5, and Gary Donovan, D-4, and state Rep. Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer receives a framed certificate of thanks for serving as the bocce host site from Lisa Kovlakas, right, on behalf of Special Olympics Connecticut. With them are, from left, Special Olympics New Milford athlete Ray Hadden, West Haven Councilmen Mackie McMillian, D-5, and Gary Donovan, D-4, and state Rep. Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven. Kovlakas, a member of the Special Olympics Connecticut board of directors, is ESPN’s manager of strategic partnerships and corporate citizenship. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

An enthusiastic, fist-pumping Team West Haven Inc. is joined by, from right, West Haven state Rep. Bill Heffernan, 5th District Councilman Mackie McMillian, Mayor Dorinda Borer and 4th District Councilman Gary Donovan. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

A Special Olympics Connecticut athlete throws a bocce ball during the bocce competition at the Old Grove Park courts in West Haven. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)