2009-05-12 - More than 100 athletes, 75 volunteers from ABB’s New Berlin Campus, turn out to support event
WAUKESHA, WI, May 11, 2009 . . . Five (5) teams from the Special Olympics Soccer competition that ABB New Berlin sponsors annually now advance to the State Summer Games, at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. The District Competition in New Berlin/Waukesha was held on May 11, 2009, with more than 75 volunteers from the ABB New Berlin campus cheering on athletes, helping with game details, breakfast and lunch.
“Most of our 450 employees share these metro Milwaukee communities with you athletes – so this is a natural opportunity for us all to give a little something back,” noted George Lord, director of manufacturing at ABB, when greeting all guests at the opening ceremonies. ABB underwrites the District Competition, to support field rental, food and spirit-ware for the athletes.
“This is the 14th Annual District Competition in which ABB New Berlin has been the sole sponsor -- and we know the Special Olympics organization values the strong bond we’ve built up together through these years,” Lord said.
More than 100 Athletes Vie for State
Fifteen teams, comprised of more than 100 athletes, were on hand to compete for a place in the Summer Games at Stevens Point. The competition draws athletes from greater-Milwaukee area, and participants play five-to-a-side against other teams, with first-, second- and third-place finishers able to qualify for a place in the Wisconsin State Summer Games.
The competition is held annually at Waukesha West High School (3301 Saylesville Rd, Waukesha), in early-to-mid May, in order for advancing teams to ready for state competition. Nearly 1,800 athletes compete in soccer, power lifting, track and field and swimming at the state games, and law enforcement personnel from across the state bring the flame of hope to opening ceremonies in The Law Enforcement Torch Run® Final Leg, noted volunteers for Special Olympics.
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