ABOUT US
The crew beyond the tide!
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.
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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.
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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, Lyla Butxon ('27), is no exception. Her expertise, passion, and focus will help to lead the 2026 Special Olympics Committee to organize the most extraordinary Fall Festival to date!
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Lyla can be contacted at: festivaldirector@villanovaspo.com.
Advisors and 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 Liason
Position: SOPA Senior Competition Director
Favorite SpO Sport: All of course!
Lyla Buxton
Festival Director
Studying: Public Administration and Political Science Majors, Disability Studies Minor
Favorite Fall Festival Memory: My favorite fall fest memory is reuniting with athletes from my LPH county for the past 2 years at Fall Fest and dancing with them in O-Town or cheering them on in their competitions!
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Emelia Valentino
Director of Administration
Studying: Communication Major with a Concentration in PR and Advertising, Sociology and Disability Studies Minors
Favorite Fall Festival Memory: My favorite Fall Fest memory was cheering on all of the Soccer I-Skills athletes during their awards ceremony! The energy in the room was electric as each athlete was recognized for their hard work and dedication. Seeing their smiles light up the stage as they held their medals was unforgettable, and I felt so proud to be part of their big moment!
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Maggie Harris
Director of Human Resources
Studying: Psychology Sciences Major, Disability Studies Minor
Favorite Fall Festival Memory: My favorite Fall Fest memory has to be watching athlete interviews after the 5v5 soccer games last year. Listening to the athlete's reflections on the competition, the life-long connections made, and the emotions felt throughout the weekend will always bring me so much joy then immediately to tears because it is both so heartwarming to hear about the happiness spread throughout the weekend, but also sad realizing that the weekend was coming to an end. Already counting down the days to the next Fall Fest!
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Lexi Muller
Director of Support Services
Studying: Biology Major, Psychology and Disability Studies Minors
Favorite Fall Festival Memory: My favorite Fall Fest memory is seeing the smiles on so many athletes faces as they reunite with friends they have made at Villanova and watching their joy as they take in every part of the weekend. Whether it be dancing in O-Town or laughing over a meal in the dining hall, it is truly so special to see the lifelong connections made among athletes, coaches, families, and volunteers.
Dorothy McCarthy
Director of Competition
Studying: Psychology Major, Disability Studies and Cognitive Science Minors
Favorite Fall Festival Memory: My favorite fall fest memory was spending all day at the volleyball I-skills competition this past year. Meeting all of the I-skills athletes and spending the day cheering them on was so much fun, and I loved seeing everyone's hard work pay off as athletes achieved personal bests and cheered each other on.
Sarah Martin Sachtleben
Director of Special Events
Studying: Communication (PR & Advertising) Major, Business Minor
Favorite Fall Festival Memory: My favorite fall fest memory has been being able to sit with an athlete in the drawing room of VJam. We got to take the time to get to know each other on a deeper level and support each other during what was a hard time for both of us in our personal lives. It was such a peaceful moment in what can feel like a chaotic weekend!
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If you have any questions regarding any positions, feel free to reach out to anyone from the Management Team!
Festival Director - Lyla Buxton - festivaldirector@villanovaspo.com
Administration - Emelia Valentino - administration@villanovaspo.com
Competition - Dorothy McCarthy - competition@villanovaspo.com
Human Resources - Maggie Harris - humanresources@villanovaspo.com
Special Events - Sarah Martin Sachtleben - specialevents@villanovaspo.com
Support Services - Lexi Muller - supportservices@villanovaspo.com
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