By snoadmin
The Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) – which has events held on campus each summer – headquarters is moving from Culver City back to the city of Long Beach this August. The Long Beach City Council approved the recommendation June 5.
Although about 25 cities wanted to host to the SOSC, only nine were considered, including Anaheim and Pasadena, said Ruth Ruiz, communications director for the SOSC.
“I think it’s just what needs to be done,” said Frances Dawson-Harris, acting chairwoman of the Citizens Advisory Commission on Disability, during a public comment session at the council meeting. “It’s the only place they should be.”
SOSC President, CEO and former Long Beach State Athletic Director Bill Shumard said Long Beach won because of its “tremendous community synergy.”
Shumard received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Cal State Long Beach. He was also chairman of the Sport Management Program Advisory Committee and co-founder of the university’s graduate program in sport management. His ties to Long Beach State helped bring the SOSC to campus.
Geoff Hall, the special projects officer of the Long Beach Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau proposed the office move back to Long Beach. The Long Beach City Council passed the motion unanimously.
Hall’s proposal presentation for the office move stated that there were many commercial properties in Long Beach cheaper than those in Culver City.
However, Ruiz said the difference in money was not the sole factor that won the SOSC back.
“Rent does not reflect financial difficulty,” Ruiz said.
CSULB is no stranger to the Special Olympics, having been a host for the games in the past years. The summer of 2007 marks CSULB’s ninth year hosting the event, which goes from June 15-17.
There will be approximately 1,500 athletes competing. Some of the sports include aquatic events, golf, gymnastics, tennis and basketball.
In California, the Special Olympics is divided into northern and southern chapters. The idea for the Special Olympics originated from Eunice Kennedy Shriver, mother of Maria Shriver, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s wife.
