National Bowling Stadium hosts 2026 Special Olympics Unified Tournament
March 14, 2026
RENO, Nev. – The 2026 Special Olympics Unified Tournament was held from March 10-12 at the famed National Bowling Stadium, bringing together more than 400 athletes and unified partners to Reno, Nevada, to compete on the national stage.
The tournament – featuring bowlers from more than 20 states and Curaçao – included a four-player team event on March 11 and doubles competition on March 12. Teams and doubles pairings competed for medals based on their division.
The 2026 event marked the 34th edition of the Special Olympics Unified Tournament being contested alongside the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships. The relationship between the two started at the 1991 event in Toledo, Ohio.
While this year’s tournament was filled with strikes, spares and plenty of camaraderie among the athletes, unified partners, coaches and family and friends in attendance, there also was a moment of reflection and appreciation for the biggest supporter of the annual event – Marty Allen.
Allen passed away on Feb. 24, 2026, at the age of 79 and had served as the tournament director in each of the previous 33 editions of the event.
“Marty’s legacy as a program director from Special Olympics Ohio will long be remembered for his tireless dedication to this national bowling tournament,” said Director of Sports Development for Special Olympics North America Craig Pippert during the event’s opening ceremony. “As tournament director from its inception beginning in 1991, Marty helped build this event into one of the most cherished competitions on the Special Olympics North America calendar – a place where athletes and unified partners can bowl side by side on one of bowling’s biggest stages.
“As part of that, it’s not just about the competition. It’s sharing friendships and creating lifelong memories together – two things Marty was very passionate about. His leadership helped grow this tournament from a handful of teams in the early years into a nationally and regionally celebrated event that brings together hundreds of athletes, partners, coaches, family members and friends every year.”
The team at Special Olympics North America honored Allen’s legacy at the 2026 event by introducing a new award that will be presented annually at the tournament – the Spirit of Fair Play Award.
“Marty’s commitment went far beyond the logistics,” Pippert said. “He championed a spirit of inclusion and camaraderie – two traits that define unified sports year after year. He welcomed returning bowlers and new bowlers, ensuring the tournament was not just a competition but a joyful celebration of ability, friendship and community. His passion for seeing athletes excel and connect with others will continue to inspire for all who are fortunate to share this remarkable experience.
“The Spirit of Fair Play Award will go to one Special Olympics team that embodies how Marty lived his life – with inclusion, friendship and sportsmanship at the forefront.”
The program that was nominated for the inaugural award represented Dothan-Houston County, Alabama. The group in Reno featured six athletes and six unified partners.
The athletes representing Dothan-Houston County included Allison Boutwell, Sandy McKnight, Ashley Rockwell, Wendy Schofield, Tevin Thompson and El ‘Jireh Trammell. Their unified partners were Faith and Shawn Curtis, Rob Dodson, Tina McCord and Clayton and Meaghan Paramore.
“It was a surprise, but it’s a great award to receive for our group,” Clayton Paramore said. “It’s the entirety of our group being able to do this. To know that we traveled all the way from Dothan, Alabama, to Reno and were able to treat people like family and be sportsman-like with everybody, especially in such a competitive nature, means a lot.
“I’ve been involved in our local program for about two years, so I personally did not get to meet Marty. But, I know how much he meant to everyone that’s here and everyone that’s part of Special Olympics as a whole. It means a lot – more than words can express.”
To view the photo gallery from the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Tournament, click here.
The USBC Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
The tournament – featuring bowlers from more than 20 states and Curaçao – included a four-player team event on March 11 and doubles competition on March 12. Teams and doubles pairings competed for medals based on their division.
The 2026 event marked the 34th edition of the Special Olympics Unified Tournament being contested alongside the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships. The relationship between the two started at the 1991 event in Toledo, Ohio.
While this year’s tournament was filled with strikes, spares and plenty of camaraderie among the athletes, unified partners, coaches and family and friends in attendance, there also was a moment of reflection and appreciation for the biggest supporter of the annual event – Marty Allen.
Allen passed away on Feb. 24, 2026, at the age of 79 and had served as the tournament director in each of the previous 33 editions of the event.
“Marty’s legacy as a program director from Special Olympics Ohio will long be remembered for his tireless dedication to this national bowling tournament,” said Director of Sports Development for Special Olympics North America Craig Pippert during the event’s opening ceremony. “As tournament director from its inception beginning in 1991, Marty helped build this event into one of the most cherished competitions on the Special Olympics North America calendar – a place where athletes and unified partners can bowl side by side on one of bowling’s biggest stages.
“As part of that, it’s not just about the competition. It’s sharing friendships and creating lifelong memories together – two things Marty was very passionate about. His leadership helped grow this tournament from a handful of teams in the early years into a nationally and regionally celebrated event that brings together hundreds of athletes, partners, coaches, family members and friends every year.”
The team at Special Olympics North America honored Allen’s legacy at the 2026 event by introducing a new award that will be presented annually at the tournament – the Spirit of Fair Play Award.
“Marty’s commitment went far beyond the logistics,” Pippert said. “He championed a spirit of inclusion and camaraderie – two traits that define unified sports year after year. He welcomed returning bowlers and new bowlers, ensuring the tournament was not just a competition but a joyful celebration of ability, friendship and community. His passion for seeing athletes excel and connect with others will continue to inspire for all who are fortunate to share this remarkable experience.
“The Spirit of Fair Play Award will go to one Special Olympics team that embodies how Marty lived his life – with inclusion, friendship and sportsmanship at the forefront.”
The program that was nominated for the inaugural award represented Dothan-Houston County, Alabama. The group in Reno featured six athletes and six unified partners.
The athletes representing Dothan-Houston County included Allison Boutwell, Sandy McKnight, Ashley Rockwell, Wendy Schofield, Tevin Thompson and El ‘Jireh Trammell. Their unified partners were Faith and Shawn Curtis, Rob Dodson, Tina McCord and Clayton and Meaghan Paramore.
“It was a surprise, but it’s a great award to receive for our group,” Clayton Paramore said. “It’s the entirety of our group being able to do this. To know that we traveled all the way from Dothan, Alabama, to Reno and were able to treat people like family and be sportsman-like with everybody, especially in such a competitive nature, means a lot.
“I’ve been involved in our local program for about two years, so I personally did not get to meet Marty. But, I know how much he meant to everyone that’s here and everyone that’s part of Special Olympics as a whole. It means a lot – more than words can express.”
To view the photo gallery from the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Tournament, click here.
The USBC Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.