Athlete Leadership Program
What is ALPs?
Athlete Leadership Program, or ALPs, train athletes to serve in meaningful leadership roles other than or in addition to that of a competitor.
ALPs athletes serve many roles in several different areas:
- Global Messengers. Athletes trained in presentation skills become speakers.
- Athlete Input Council. Athletes in Indiana make suggestions and discuss problems through county and area input councils.
- Athletes in the Media. Athletes help to get the Special Olympics word out by writing articles, being interviewed for television or radio shows, or working with newspapers.
- Athletes as Coaches. Athletes serve as coaches or assistant coaches, attending certification training and then applying that training. There are many Special Olympics athletes in Indiana who have become coaches.
- Athletes as Officials. Athletes go through sport National Governing Body certification programs as officials or other skilled sport personnel.
- Athletes on Boards. Athletics in Indiana serve on local and area management teams, and the state has had an athlete on its Board of Directors for many years. The current athlete representative on the Special Olympics Indiana Board of Directors is Brent Bowgren from Valparaiso.
- Other roles for Athletes: serving as employees of Special Olympics, raising funds, being volunteers in the program, teaching classes, and donating money to programs.
ALPs University
Indiana has been providing training in athlete leadership since 1997. The program was formalized and expanded in 2003 with the introduction ALPs University, which provides education for Special Olympics athletes in a variety of leadership topics. The University graduates athletes who work with state, area, and local programs to promote, support, and raise funds for Special Olympics. Using a university model where athletes receive credit for attending classes, participants can earn certificates recognizing their level of achievement.
Varsity Club
Since April 2003, Varsity Club members have served Special Olympics Indiana as official spokes people for the program. Among their duties are to host dignitaries, appear at fundraising events, and present speeches around the state.
Athlete Advisory Council
The Athlete Advisory Council, originated in April 2004, gives input to the state on a variety of subjects. Members develop recommendations for SOIN and respond to proposals form other parts of the organization. Members meet twice a year.