Hilton Coliseum may be a new experience for 3,000 Special Olympic athletes converging on Ames on Thursday, but for former ISU men’s basketball player Jake Sullivan, who will speak at the opening ceremony, it is home territory.

“I think the Special Olympics is a wonderful opportunity,” Sullivan said. “Everyone should get the chance to be in athletics.”

Sullivan, who has been known to surpass expectations — he holds the title of best career free-throw shooter in Big 12 history — spoke of his eagerness to be part of the event.

“This a great chance for people to compete,” said Sullivan, who completed his eligibility this March. “There are a lot of great athletes; I am excited to be a part of [Special Olympics].”

This year’s opening ceremony will be a little different than other years, officials say.

“We are going to have indoor fireworks this year,” said Pam Wagner, vice president of games and competition.

Wagner said Special Olympics Iowa will also be announcing the winner of a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle from a yearlong raffle to raise funds for the organization.

In addition to Sullivan, speakers for the opening ceremony will include ISU President Gregory Geoffroy and Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco.

The Special Olympic torch will leave Nollen Plaza in Des Moines at noon on Thursday. Area law enforcement officials will be carrying the torch to Hilton Coliseum, where one of the athletes will light the Special Olympic flame.

The competitions begin at 9 a.m. Thursday.

“We hope and pray for good weather, especially on Thursday when we have many of our outdoor events,” said Charles Reed, director of public relations for the event.

All of the events are spread throughout the university’s facilities, except roller skating, which will be in Des Moines at Skate North Incrediroll.

There will be special events for athletes and community members during the games.

“We have a relatively new program called Healthy Athletes where all of the athletes have an opportunity to receive a free dental and eye exam,” Reed said.

He said athletes can come to the Maple-Willow-Larch Commons on Friday to receive the free exams.

Bill Bergan, a retired track and field coach for Iowa State, will oversee the 15 track and field events for the state summer games, including a newly added division of wheelchair competitions, he said.

This will be the 20th year Iowa State’s campus has been the home of Special Olympics Iowa, the state’s summer games.

The state summer games would not exist without the contributions made by numerous volunteers, Wagner said.

“We have over 1,000 local volunteers for this event,” she said.

Wagner said a maintenance worker remarked to her once that the awards stands used in the ceremony appeared to be getting slightly shoddy, and could use some paint. The worker then painted them, a move which Wagner says is typical of the volunteer spirit which makes the games possible.

“We are just blessed; the positive response from the community is unbelievable,” she said.

She also praised Iowa State and its administrators for their cooperation with the games.