Contact: Sasha Steinberg

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s Department of Kinesiology is teaming up with the university’s ACCESS program to sponsor the second annual StarkVegas Fútbol Jamboree Saturday [April 6] on the Starkville campus.

Taking place at the university’s old intramural fields at the corner of Stone and Bully boulevards, the 9 a.m. event consists of a three-on-three soccer competition with youth, high school, adults (age 18 and older), family and unified divisions.

Competitors include students with intellectual disabilities who have been participating in an adapted physical activity course created by Chih-Chia “JJ” Chen, MSU assistant professor of kinesiology. Specializing in motor control and adapted physical education, Chen collaborated with the ACCESS program to create this course that has been offered since spring 2018.

As part of the course, a group of graduate and undergraduate kinesiology majors work as coaches and partners for students with intellectual disabilities. This semester, the students have been practicing basketball and soccer twice a week at the university’s Joe Frank Sanderson Center.

Chen said sports administration students in fellow MSU assistant professor of kinesiology Soyoun Lim’s event management course have been instrumental in organizing operational, marketing and communication efforts for the jamboree. In addition to the Sanderson Center, the event is made possible with support from Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities, Special Olympics Mississippi and local business partners.

“Indeed, it is teamwork that makes this event successful,” Chen said. “Through this event, we are promoting inclusive community and empowerment for people with intellectual disabilities at Mississippi State University and in Starkville. We believe their participation will contribute to social, diverse and inclusive development of the Starkville community, which serves the mission of the College of Education.”

Participants of all ages and skill levels are welcome, and winners in each division will receive prizes.

Registration can be completed online at www.svfj.weebly.com. The cost is $25 per team before April 5 and $35 per team on April 6. Those interested in volunteering also can sign up via the aforementioned website.

For more information, contact Chen at 662-325-2963 or cc2196@msstate.edu. Follow on Twitter @msstatekine and Instagram @starkvegasfj for updates.

ACCESS is Mississippi’s only post-secondary program for students with intellectual disabilities and provides a complete college experience, along with a curriculum that encompasses independent living skills and internship opportunities. After completing the curriculum and meeting grade requirements, ACCESS students graduate from MSU with a certification of completion. For more on the program, visit www.access.msstate.edu.

Established in 1903, MSU’s College of Education is home to six academic departments, one research unit and numerous service units. For more on the college and its kinesiology department, visit www.educ.msstate.edu and www.kinesiology.msstate.edu.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.