March 27, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY, TN-- Carson-Newman head women's basketball coach Dean Walsh will be the featured speaker at the Tennessee Special Olympics Winter Games' opening ceremonies at Gatlinburg on January 28. Special Olympians from across the Volunteer State will compete at Ober Gatlinburg in the snowboarding, Alpine skiing, and speed skating competitions.

"I'm very honored to be speaking at such a prestigious event," Walsh said. "Special Olympics should be inspirational to all of us because it's not about winning, but the art of attempting and competing that brings joy to these special athletes."

Since 1974, Special Olympics Tennessee has hosted 17 different sports throughout the year. SOTN supports 32 area programs that include all Tennessee counties . More than 12,000 Special Olympics athletes are registered with Special Olympics Tennessee.