Buffalo Stampede to compete at Special Olympics USA Games
Athletes, coaches, volunteers, and fans from across the country will gather in Minnesota this June as the state hosts the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, one of the largest sporting events in the nation. The weeklong event will celebrate inclusion, determination, and athletic achievement while shining a national spotlight on the power of the Special Olympics movement.
The Games are scheduled for June 20-26 and will primarily take place at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine. More than 3,000 athletes, along with coaches from all 50 states, will participate in Olympic-style competition across numerous sports, including swimming, track and field, basketball, bocce, bowling, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, and powerlifting.
The USA games happen every four years. The previous games were held in Orlando, Florida. Cleveland, Ohio will be the host city in 2030.
Locally, the Buffalo Stampede will represent Minnesota in the sport of softball. The team won a state-qualifying tournament two seasons ago, making them eligible to compete in this year’s summer games.
“Every year, there’s a regional and state tournament,” stated Buffalo Stampede coach Dale Gilmer. “Every two years before the USA Games is the qualifying year. We had to take the gold medal at the state tournament in our division, which qualified us to apply for the USA Games.”
Buffalo Stampede
Buffalo Stampede is a delegation of the Minnesota Special Olympics. Beyond softball, athletes participate in a variety of sports, offering players of all ages the chance to compete in several events throughout the year.
“We have softball in the summer, bowling in the fall; in the wintertime, we have snowshoeing and poly hockey,” stated coach Gilmer.
Participation is open to all ages. Many of the Stampede athletes have been playing together for several years and are looking forward to Olympic competition.
Buffalo Stampede athletes competing in this year’s Summer Games live in the local area, with twelve original players. The USA Games allows a roster of 15 total players. Three additional players from the Osseo Maple Grove special Olympic delegation will be joining the Stampede to compete in softball.
Leadership
Coaches and volunteers play a key role by encouraging athletes, helping them to grow both on and off the field. Dale and Julie Gilmer, of Buffalo, have been the cornerstones of Buffalo Stampede, leading the program for the past seven years.
“My wife, Julie, and I took over the Buffalo delegation in 2019,” stated Gilmer, adding that his oldest son, Russell, is also a coach, along with Coach Elizabeth Votava.
Gilmer stated that his son was part of the adaptive program at Buffalo High School, which the Gilmers helped coach at the time. The experience would ultimately lead them to head the Buffalo Stampede in 2019.
“I helped coach with the High School program and then he (Gilmer’s son) got involved with the Buffalo Stampede. The person running the program was looking for someone to take it over and thought we’d be a good fit. Being that our son was part of the team, we figured we’d be involved with it for several years, so why not step up and take it over.”
The Olympic Experience
The weeklong schedule begins with a breakfast in Brooklyn Center the morning of Friday, June 19. From there, the team will attend an official sendoff, which will include over 300 Minnesota athletes and coaches. After the sendoff, the team will travel by bus to the University of Minnesota, where they will stay in the campus dormitories throughout the week. Softball is held at the National Sports Center in Blaine; the team will be bused to and from competition each day.
Opening ceremonies will be held Saturday, June 20. All 50 states will be represented, and athletes from each state will march into Huntington Bank Stadium during the ceremony, which will culminate in lighting the “Flame of Hope.” The Olympic torch will complete a cross-country journey, traveling from coast to coast while raising excitement and awareness for the Olympic Games before arriving at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Sunday, June 21, will be a practice day, with official competition beginning Monday, June 22. Teams will participate in pool play Monday and Tuesday, with approximately six to eight games, followed by tournament play on Wednesday and Thursday. A total of 17 traditional softball teams are expected to participate.
As the 2026 Special Olympic Games draw near, Buffalo Stampede athletes and coaches are excited for the opportunity to share in the tradition of the Olympic spirit.
“It’s quite the honor,” stated coach Gilmer.
Editors note: Special Olympics of Minnesota officials requested that photos with uniformed players not be released until after the USA games officially start.
A Buffalo Stampede team photo will be published in a future edition of the Journal-Press.
