Come experience Special Olympics Virginia tennis this January at the inaugural "Special Olympics Experience" invitational tennis tournament set for Jan. 17-19 at the Boar’s Head Sports Club in Charlottesville. More than 30 of the most highly skilled tennis players from Special Olympics programs throughout the United States, including two of Virginia’s own Special Olympics’ star players, Jon Fried and Chris Raupp, will take to the courts during this special event, which marks Special Olympics Virginia’s first venture into an invitational with regional and national players.

The event, presented by the Boyd C. Tinsley Foundation and the Bama Works Fund, will kick off at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 with the Opening Ceremony and a Unified Tennis Social Event, in which members of the local community will partner with Special Olympics athletes on the tennis courts. Friday features tournament play from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m., and the evening will feature a UVA men’s tennis clinic and social. Tournament play resumes Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by a special awards ceremony. The Experience comes to a close Saturday night when all the Special Olympics tennis athletes present will be recognized during the UVA vs. Boston College basketball game at the John Paul Jones Arena.

All are invited to "be fans" of Special Olympics during this first-class community event. For information on how you can lend your support, please contact kbotha@specialolympicsva.org or dthomason@specialolympicsva.org. For an event schedule, click here.