ABOUT US
Villanova University's Special Olympics Committee organizes the largest student-run Special Olympics event in the world! Comprised of 106 dedicated students, the "SpO" committee works year round to organize every aspect of the Festival, from staging ceremonies to managing the budget and coordinating thousands of volunteers. Members are chosen from a pool of hundreds of applicants who all share a dedication and love for Special Olympics and its athletes. The intercommittee collaboration, devotion, and work ethic embodies the Villanova tradition of "Veritas, Unitas, Caritas" and strives to create a more inclusive campus and world.
​
About the Fall Festival
Villanova University is the official host of the Special Olympics Pennsylvania fall state games, one of four statewide Special Olympic events. During the first weekend in November, the campus will host over 1,000 athletes, 400 coaches, 5,000 volunteers, and the many corporate sponsors and media outlets that will provide coverage for the event. The athletes who participate in the Fall Festival will compete in six Olympic-type sports: bocce, long distance running and walking, power-lifting, flag football, soccer, and volleyball. All housing and meals for the weekend are provided by Special Olympics Pennsylvania and Villanova University.
Special Olympics is a life-changing movement of people helping people. The athletes of Special Olympics -- more than 20,000 alone in Pennsylvania -- are constant reminders of all that is right with the human spirit.
About the Festival Director
The Festival Director for the games is chosen each year to be the student leader of the Committee. Villanova students who are interested in the position must endure a rigorous application process and have significant Committee experience along with a strong academic record. This year’s director, Jane Butler ('26), is no exception. Her expertise, passion, and focus will help to lead the 2025 Special Olympics Committee to organize the most extraordinary Fall Festival to date!
Jane can be contacted at festivaldirector@villanovaspo.com.
ADVISORS & MANAGEMENT TEAM
STEVE KOCH
Faculty Advisor
Education: M.Ed., Drexel University
Position: Associate Director for Leadership Programs, Student Involvement
Previous Position: SO College Director, Special Olympics. PA (SOPA)
Favorite SpO Sport: Basketball
BRUCE BACH
SOPA Liaison
Position: SOPA Senior Competition Director
Favorite SpO Sport: All of course!
JANE BUTLER
Festival Director
Studying: Humanities, English, Disability Studies
Favorite Fall Festival Memory: My favorite Fall Fest memory is running the Soccer Individual Skills competition in 2023! I-Skills provides such a great opportunity to recognize each athlete for what makes them unique and incredible! This past year, I went to visit I-Skills and reunited with many of the athletes I met two years ago. It was so exciting to see them all again!
LYLA BUXTON
Director of Administration
Studying: Public Administration, Political Science, Disability Studies
​
Favorite Fall Festival Memory: A favorite Fall Fest memory has got to be sitting on the steps of Bartley with an athlete and taking in all of O-Town! It was such a nice, centering moment that we were able to share and was a great way to slow down during the weekend!
CAROLINE HUNDLEY
Director of Competition
Studying: Nursing
EARL KELLY
Director of Human Resources
Studying: Marketing, Management, International Business
Favorite Fall Festival Memory: My favorite Fall Fest memory is seeing O-town come alive with joy, filled with athletes, volunteers, games, and nonstop dancing!
Favorite Fall Festival Memory: My favorite Fall Fest memory was the first day of bocce competition this past year. Seeing everyone's energy and excitement made me ecstatic for the weekend ahead. One that was filled with incredible competition, memorable moments, and new and old friends.
SOPHIA TUCKER
Director of Special Events
Studying: Biology
Favorite Fall Fest Memory: My favorite fall fest memory is dancing at Victory Jamboree. It is always such an amazing time, and a fantastic opportunity to make new friends. Everyone comes together to create lasting connections and have the time of our lives!
ALEX BLAHA
Director of Support Services
Studying: Electrical Engineering
Favorite Fall Festival Memory: Watching the award ceremonies at the end of Fall Festival and seeing everyone with a huge smile on their face and feeling the buzz of excitement and support of everyone in the room!
If you have any questions regarding any positions feel free to reach out to anyone from the Management Team!
Festival Director - Jane Butler - festivaldirector@villanovaspo.com
Administration - Lyla Buxton - administration@villanovaspo.com
Competition - Caroline Hundley - competition@villanovaspo.com
Human Resources - Earl Kelly - humanresources@villanovaspo.com
Special Events - Sophia Tucker - specialevents@villanovaspo.com
Support Services - Alex Blaha - supportservices@villanovaspo.com
​