Athlete Leadership

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Athlete Leadership

What is Athlete Leadership?

Athlete Leadership allows Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) athletes to help shape the future of the Special Olympics movement and ensure all people with intellectual disabilities have the opportunity to participate in sports training and competition that is fun and fair. Athlete Leadership programs train athletes to serve in meaningful leadership roles other than, or in addition to, sports. Special Olympics Colorado currently provides multiple opportunities for athletes to serve as leaders, and we are constantly searching for ways to make our programs more athlete-led.

Learn more about our Athlete Leadership programs in our Handbook!

Athlete Leadership Values

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Respect athletes as equal partners in your Special Olympics experience

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The Special Olympics Movement is led by athletes

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Dedication and excellence

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Honesty and integrity

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Value athlete opinions and preferences

Basic Concepts of Athlete Leadership

  • Athlete Leadership starts with an athlete who wants to take on a leadership role.
  • Athletes have a choice in how and where they lead in Special Olympics.
  • Athletes have opportunities to practice and improve their leadership skills.
  • Athletes benefit from the support of a committed mentor.
  • Athlete Leadership teaches our athletes to gain the knowledge and confidence to lead programmatic work. This is their organization – we are here to support them.
  • Athletes are in positions of influence and leadership throughout the organization to help determine policy and set direction.
  • Athletes have the ability to contribute in these roles in a meaningful way.
  • Athletes are held accountable to all Special Olympics policies and rules.

Athlete Leadership Roles

Special Olympics Roles modules are designed to provide athletes with an overview of what to expect if they served in one of these roles, then build the necessary skills to be successful in their role. Athletes take these courses at Athlete Leadership University after completing their core leadership modules.

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Athlete Spokesperson

Promote, educate and inform others about the mission, benefits and direction of Special Olympics.

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Athlete Representative

You can represent yourself and other Special Olympics Colorado athletes.

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Facilitator

Become a guide for discussions and other presentations.

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Health Messenger

Be a health leader, advocate, educator and role model within the community.

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Event Leader

Plan, promote and execute Special Olympics events.

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Sport Leader

Support athletes as they achieve their maximum potential through coaching, officiating, and other roles.

Ways to get involved:

Become an Athlete Leader

Our athletes are the driving force of the Special Olympics Movement and we are committed to creating roles that provide meaningful experiences for athletes, including committees, event support, speeches and presentations, and more.  

Fitness Captains are athletes within their respective teams that are chosen by their coaches because they show the ability to lead if given the tools and resources.

Become a Fitness Captain:

Goals of the Fitness Captain Program

The vision is to build a sustainable foundation of athlete leaders and coaches who are educated and mentored so they are able to lead their peers in changing or reinforcing health behaviors and attitudes.

Fitness Captains have the following responsibilities:

  • Work closely with coaches to help ensure health and fitness is a key component of the sports experience.

  • Lead warm-ups and cool-downs at all practices and competitions with my team.

  • Teach healthy habits to my teammates to improve fitness and sports performance, including Fit 5.

  • Actively compete in at least one (1) sport during the year, including regional and state competitions.

  • Complete all required online trainings as they are assigned to me.

  • Attend at least one (1) training per year to stay active as a Fitness Captain, including the mandatory First Year Training as a new Fitness Captain.

  • Communicate effectively via e-mail and phone, including non-verbal communication methods.

  • Follow the Athlete Code of Conduct and the Athlete Leadership Code of Conduct

  • Demonstrate positive and appropriate behaviors of a leader in my community (i.e. get along with others, have a positive outlook, dependable, demonstrate polite behaviors & good sportsmanship).

  • Help out when needed and motivate others.

Roles and Responsibilities

Fitness Captains have the following responsibilities:

  • Work closely with coaches to help ensure health and fitness is a key component of the sports experience.

  • Lead warm-ups and cool-downs at all practices and competitions with my team.

  • Teach healthy habits to my teammates to improve fitness and sports performance, including Fit 5.

  • Actively compete in at least one (1) sport during the year, including regional and state competitions.

  • Complete all required online trainings as they are assigned to me.

  • Attend at least one (1) training per year to stay active as a Fitness Captain, including the mandatory First Year Training as a new Fitness Captain.

  • Communicate effectively via e-mail and phone, including non-verbal communication methods.

  • Follow the Athlete Code of Conduct and the Athlete Leadership Code of Conduct

  • Demonstrate positive and appropriate behaviors of a leader in my community (i.e. get along with others, have a positive outlook, dependable, demonstrate polite behaviors & good sportsmanship).

  • Help out when needed and motivate others.

Athlete Leadership Council (ALC)

The Athlete Leadership Council is a forum for athletes to report what is happening in their regions, voice their opinions about important issues and gain leadership training and experience.

Athlete Leadership University (ALU)

Athlete Leadership University (ALU) is a learning experience, through a series of college-style courses, designed for Special Olympics Colorado athletes. ALU helps athletes build confidence and learn leadership skills to create meaningful change in society. With the support of volunteer mentors, athletes go through the core leadership courses and then select a specific major to study.

Athlete Leadership Workshops

Our workshops offer our athletes an opportunity to learn new skills to support them in their success as an athlete, teammate, leader, and community member. 

Personal and Professional Development

These self-guided trainings offer athletes an opportunity to learn new skills on their own. 

Unified Leadership

Unified Leadership teaches people WITHOUT disabilities how to value, include and enable people WITH intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID).

Upcoming Events

Click Here to view all events.

13 September 2025

Athlete Leadership University presented by Westerra Credit Union

Athlete Leadership University presented by Westerra Credit Union Where: St. Elizabeth's School - 1800 Pontiac St, Denver 80220 When: Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14 Day 1 (tentative): 10am-5pm Day 2[...]

Find out more
St Elizabeths School, 1800 Pontiac St
Denver, 80220 United States
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Questions? Reach out!

CONTACT US TODAY

Photo of Athlete Leadership Manager Elizabeth Aslin
Elizabeth Aslin

Athlete Leadership Senior Manager
(720) 359-3113
Email: easlin@specialolympicsco.org

Aidan Mcneese

Athlete Leadership Specialist & Administrative Assistant
Email: amcneese@specialolympicsco.org