Image by Rocky Top Sports World |
Image by Rocky Top Sports World |
GATLINBURG, TN -- Rocky Top Sports World recently hosted the Special Olympics Tennessee’s 2023 Winter Games State Basketball Competition. This is the first time the 3v3 basketball format was offered. In past years, the event focused on free throw competitions, rather than actual game play.
Fourteen teams gathered in Gatlinburg for the competition, including both “Traditional” and “Unified” teams (those with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team).
“Our athletes had a great time and were very excited to get to play state-level basketball for the first-time post-pandemic,” said Brenna Soriano, Venue Manager for Special Olympics Tennessee. “We are very appreciative of the partnership with Rocky Top Sports World and look forward to working together at this great venue in the future.”
Rocky Top Sports World has been hosting part of the Special Olympics Tennessee’s Winter Games since 2021 when the indoor element was introduced. The event is a wonderful fit for Gatlinburg, with the opening ceremonies taking place at the convention center, and the on- snow events being held at Ober Mountain. Even members of both the boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams from Gatlinburg Pitman High School came to Rocky Top Sports World to volunteer as basketball referees.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to work with a great organization like Special Olympics Tennessee,” said Andrew Capps, Director of Business Development for Rocky Top Sports World. “Rocky Top Sports World gives all athletes an opportunity to showcase their skills while enjoying the beauty of Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. We couldn’t be more excited about what the future holds for this partnership.”
Rocky Top Sports World is an 80-acre sports complex located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains offering seven outdoor fields and an 86,000-square-foot indoor venue equipped with six basketball courts. Rocky Top Sports World is part of the SFNetwork and managed by Sports Facilities Companies. For more information on our facility, please visit rockytopsportsworld.com or call 865.325.0044.
Sports Facilities Companies: The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) are the nation’s leading resources for managing and developing sports, recreation, wellness, and events facilities. As a turn-key solution for community leaders and developers alike, SFC services span the gamut of sports and recreation needs from sports tourism & recreation master planning, program planning, and feasibility through professional facility management services. Our 30+ managed venues and 1500+ team members, represented by the SF Network, welcome more than 25 million guest visits and produce over $250 million in economic impact each year. To learn more, please visit SportsFacilities.com and theSFNetwork.com.
