Special Olympics Texas asks Odessa for $250,000 to co-host statewide Fall Classic in October 2025

Special Olympics Texas asked the Odessa City Council workshop on May 27 to commit $250,000 toward a two‑city Fall Classic scheduled for October 2025, part of a three‑to‑five year memorandum of understanding with Midland.

The presentation said the West Texas stop on the statewide Fall Classic attracted nearly 1,500 athletes, coaches, volunteers and spectators in its first year and generated about 550 hotel room nights; organizers said they expect hotel usage and attendance to rise in 2025. Chad Eason, executive director of competitions and sports programming for Special Olympics Texas, said the program returned $536,461.72 to Midland and Odessa combined in direct event spending last year.

"In my position, it's all about getting community out there to help these opportunities happen for our athletes," Eason told council members, stressing the need for local volunteers and community partnerships to stage the multi‑sport event.

Organizers said the Fall Classic will include bocce, golf, swimming and "fundamental sports" for athletes with more significant disabilities, and that last year they provided more than 515 free health screenings (vision, hearing, podiatry) through the Healthy Athletes program. The event also provides a sponsored Champions Lounge and other athlete‑focused amenities.

Councilman Vasquez, who volunteered at last year’s bocce competition, raised concerns about restroom access and ADA accommodations at University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) facilities used in 2024. "Are you planning, or has someone contacted UTPB ... to see if they're going to take care of the plumbing ... or can we get more of the porta potties, which I don't think are necessarily accommodating special needs type situations?" he asked.

Eason said Special Olympics Texas and UTPB staff discussed plumbing and accessibility after last year’s event and that organizers plan to follow up with the university. He also said the event supplier can provide ADA‑accessible portable restrooms and that organizers may relocate bocce to better‑maintained turf with lighting to reduce hazards and dust.

Organizers discussed equestrian competition in response to an audience question. Eason said travel distances and horse logistics limited equestrian participation this year but that smaller, local equestrian opportunities could be explored if community partners help organize them.

Representatives of Discover Odessa and the Chamber of Commerce were credited for recruiting the event; presenters encouraged council members and the public to volunteer. Eason said the agreement envisions three committed years; years four and five would be optional for each city.

No formal council action on funding was recorded at the workshop; the presentation closed with an invitation for council questions and further coordination between city staff, UTPB and Special Olympics Texas.