Special Olympics Area 12 Track and Field Games Recap: A Day of Competition and Community at Jerry Alexander Stadium

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the City of Moss Point hosted the Special Olympics Area 12 Track and Field Games at Jerry Alexander Stadium. It was a day filled with heart, joy, and true community support, and we could not be more proud of every single athlete who competed.

Athletes, coaches, families, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters from across the region came together in Moss Point for an event that reminded everyone in attendance what community really looks like when it shows up for the people who matter most. From the opening processional to the final awards, the energy inside Jerry Alexander Stadium never let up.

This was not just an event on a calendar. This was a day that belonged to the athletes, and Moss Point was honored to be the city that held the door open for them.

The Athletes Made the Day

The athletes were the heart and soul of this event. Everything else existed to support them, and they more than delivered.

Athletes competed in nine track and field events throughout the day: the 10 Meter Assisted Walk, 25 Meter Walk, 50 Meter Walk, 25 Meter Run, 50 Meter Run, Softball Throw, Tennis Ball Throw, Mini Javelin, and Standing Long Jump.

Every race brought the crowd to its feet, every throw had spectators leaning in and cheering, and every jump was met with encouragement from teammates, coaches, and complete strangers who were there simply because they wanted to support these athletes.

What made the day so powerful was not just the competition itself, but the way the athletes carried themselves through it. There was determination in every stride, focus in every throw, and pure, unfiltered joy in every finish. Athletes encouraged each other between events, celebrated each other’s successes, and lifted each other up after tough moments. That is the spirit of Special Olympics, and it was alive and well at Jerry Alexander Stadium on Wednesday.

For everyone in the stands, on the sidelines, and along the track, it was impossible to walk away without being moved by what these athletes brought to the field.

A Processional Worth Remembering

The day kicked off with a processional that set the tone for everything that followed. Athletes and supporters marched together behind the Special Olympics Mississippi Area 12 Track and Field Games banner as the crowd welcomed them onto the field.

It was one of those moments that hits you before you even realize it. Seeing the athletes walk in together, proud and ready to compete, surrounded by the people who believe in them, was a powerful reminder of what this day was all about. The cheers started during the processional and honestly never stopped.

Opening Ceremony

Following the processional, the opening ceremony brought everyone together at the center of the field. The ceremony included the introduction of the Special Olympics Area 12 Moss Point Team, a prayer, and the National Anthem.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Williams delivered remarks on behalf of the Moss Point School District, speaking to the importance of the event and the pride the district takes in supporting Special Olympics athletes.

Recognizing Our Champions

A special moment during the day was the recognition of this year’s champions. Bob Boyte of Bob Boyte Honda Moss Point was recognized as City Champion, and Angela Lott was recognized as School District Champion. Both individuals have shown tremendous dedication, encouragement, and support for Special Olympics and its athletes, and their involvement helped make this event stronger and more meaningful.

Champions like Bob Boyte and Angela Lott represent the kind of leadership that makes events like this possible. Their willingness to step forward, lend their name, and actively support these athletes sets an example for the rest of the community, and we are grateful for everything they bring to Special Olympics.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Special Olympics Area 12 Track and Field Games were made possible through the generosity of sponsors who invested directly in our athletes and our community. Every level of sponsorship played a role in making this event what it was, and we are truly grateful.

Corporate Sponsors: Chevron Pascagoula Refinery and Jackson County, Mississippi

Event Sponsor: Mississippi Power

Friends of Special Olympics: We Are Moss Point, Inc.

Sponsoring an event like this is more than a financial contribution. It is a statement that says these athletes matter, this community matters, and this event deserves to happen at the highest level possible. Our sponsors made that statement loud and clear, and the athletes and families who attended this event are better for it.

To Chevron Pascagoula Refinery, Jackson County, Mississippi Power, and We Are Moss Point, Inc., thank you. Your support helped make this event possible, and we are truly grateful for your investment in our athletes and our community.

The People Who Made It Happen

Behind every great event is a team of people who gave their time, energy, and effort to make it run, and the Special Olympics Area 12 Track and Field Games were no different.

We are grateful for our volunteers who showed up early, stayed late, and handled every task asked of them with a servant’s heart. Without volunteers, an event like this simply does not happen.

We are grateful for the Moss Point School District for their partnership and support, and for the City of Moss Point Board of Aldermen for standing behind this event and the athletes it serves.

We are also grateful for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the Moss Point Police Department, the Moss Point Fire Department, and Acadian Ambulance Service for the support they gave to this event and to our athletes. Their presence ensured that everyone in attendance was safe and taken care of throughout the day.

Every single person who played a role in making this event happen deserves to be recognized, and the City of Moss Point is thankful for each and every one of them.

What Special Olympics Means to Moss Point

Special Olympics is built on a simple but powerful idea: every person deserves the opportunity to compete, to be recognized, and to be celebrated. That idea came to life at Jerry Alexander Stadium on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, and the City of Moss Point was proud to be the place where it happened.

Hosting the Special Olympics Area 12 Track and Field Games is not something we take lightly. It is a privilege, a responsibility, and a reflection of what this city believes in. When our community comes together to support athletes who give everything they have on the track and on the field, we are showing the world the kind of city Moss Point is and the kind of city we intend to keep being.

Because of each of you, this event was filled with heart, joy, and true community support. Thank you for showing up in such a big way for these athletes.

The City of Moss Point extends our deepest thanks to every athlete, coach, family member, volunteer, sponsor, first responder, and community partner who helped make this day so special. We are proud to have hosted the Special Olympics Area 12 Track and Field Games, and we look forward to continuing our support of Special Olympics for years to come.

Story, Video & Pictures produced by Experienced Results