Special Olympics organizers outline volunteer needs, hotel strategy and economic benefits as fall event returns to Midland

Organizers of the Special Olympics Texas Fall Classic told the Midland City Council on Aug. 26 that last year’s first statewide competition in West Texas drew participants and visitors who produced measurable hotel and local spending, and they asked the public to sign up as volunteers for the Oct. 2025 competition.

Chad Eason and Troy Briggs, who spoke at the council meeting, said the 2024 event included athletes, volunteers and spectators and recorded about 1,490 total participants and visitors. Organizers reported 1,224 hotel room nights in Midland from the event and estimated roughly $828,525 in direct economic impact to the local area. Briggs said just over 1,000 participants stayed in area hotels, while several local teams and volunteers returned to nearby homes.

Organizers said Special Olympics Texas will bring bocce, golf, softball, swimming and a “fundamentals” sports program back to the region in October 2025. The program includes free health screenings offered on-site by clinical staff; Eason said the event provided more than 515…