Join the Inclusion Crew
In joining the Inclusion Crew (IC) Villanova students have the opportunity to be a part of the largest Student-Run Special Olympics Program in the World! Students within this mission-based community volunteer for Fall Fest weekend, partake in Unified Sports® throughout the year, help Special Olympic athletes train at local practice facilities, and most importantly, act as campus ambassadors for the mission of inclusion! There is no application required to join Inclusion Crew and ALL Villanova students are encouraged to join! Inclusion Crew opportunities typically are at Young Athlete's Program, Awards, Competition, Support Services, Ceremonies, Entertainment, DEI & Evals, Healthy Athletes, and Media and Publicity.
Questions? Please contact inclusioncrew@villanovaspo.com!
Check out the general body meeting recording!
How Villanovans Get Involved
Fall Fest Weekend!
3,000+
Student Volunteers
1,100+
Inclusion Crew Members
96
Volunteer Coordinators
160
Local Program Hosts
112
Committee Members
Off-Campus
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering for Fall Fest 2025 and you are not a Villanova student, please email: offcampusvols@villanovaspo.com
Opportunities include:
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Running Competition Venues
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Medical Volunteers
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Serving Food
Inclusion Crew
Being apart of Inclusion Crew during Fall Fest was an incredibly rewarding experience. Seeing the way our community united for such special event was truly amazing. I loved meeting all the athletes and cheering them on during their events. It was an absolute blast, and I’m so glad I chose to be a part of it!
~Grace Mougalian '28, IC
LPH
I can honestly say that being an LPH was my favorite part of my first year at Villanova! Words can’t describe quite how magical it was to get to share my first Fall Fest experience with so many other kind, positive, and passionate first-years who were just as excited as I was to support the mission of inclusion. It was an incredible honor to get to know the dedicated and talented athletes from Area P, and a joy to cheer them on throughout their competitions. I'm forever thankful to LPH for the lifelong friendships and memories I made Fall Fest 2024. Being an LPH is a fun and rewarding experience that I truly cannot recommend enough!
~Tori Phillips '28, LPH
VC
Being a volunteer coordinator was such an exciting and rewarding experience! Spending time with athletes and other volunteers allowed for making special memories and forming connections with so many individuals. I loved getting to share my love for SpO and reflect on the importance of education and inclusion. It was so much fun to work with committee, other VCs, LPHs, and IC volunteers to create the best possible weekend for the athletes!
~Dorothy McCarthy '27, VC
Additional Leadership Roles:
Local Program Host (LPH): Since its inception in 2002, the Local Program Host (LPH) program has become a way for freshmen students to become involved in Special Olympics and have a profound impact throughout the entire weekend. The LPH program is open to all full-time freshmen students entering their first semester in the fall. Throughout the weekend LPH’s are responsible for being a liaison between the Special Olympics Committee and the county participants to which the LPH is assigned. LPH’s get to know athletes throughout the weekend, cheering them on during competition, creating posters & cheers to support them, and setting an overall positive and exuberant tone for the weekend! LPHs attend weekly meetings on Tuesdays 8:00 PM-9:30 PM and serve from 6:00am-9:00pm from Friday- Sunday of Fall Fest.
Volunteer Coordinators (VC's): There is an application and interview for this role. A Volunteer Coordinator, commonly known as a VC, plays a vital role in the Special Olympics Fall Festival at Villanova University! The application and selection process takes place in late March. VC’s work with the student committee throughout the fall semester to prepare volunteers to assist with the weekend. Each VC is assigned to a specific venue and becomes a knowledgeable resource for volunteers in that area.
Some of a VC's primary responsibilities include:
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Recruiting and training volunteers
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Delegating volunteers at a specific venue
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Collaborating with Villanova's student committee team
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Supporting and energizing athletes, coaches, and volunteers
The 2025 VC application process is closed for this Fall Fest.
Join Inclusion Crew to Get Involved
BEYOND Fall Fest Weekend
Unified Sports®: One Unified Sports® event is offered each semester! Special Olympic athletes from across PA and IC members take to the field together to compete in tournament style play! Sports include volleyball, soccer, and basketball! Reach out to unified@villanovaspo.com to find out more!
Athlete Practices: Members of the Inclusion Crew attend local Special Olympic program practices! At an athlete practice, students can choose to participate alongside athletes, or operate in more of a support capacity. Either way, it is an unbelievable experience to participate in a practice and make lifelong friends! Transportation is always provided! Reach out to athleteinvolvement@villanovaspo.com to find out more!