The Ron Knisley Memorial Shootout + The State Farm Holiday Classic

Presented by the State Farm Holiday Classic and S.O.A.R.

On October 13, 2005, the Classic Tournament, Inc. lost a very special and vital part of our event. Ron Knisley, Director of Sports and Competition for Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL), lost his battle to cancer.

Ron volunteered his time as a Holiday Classic committee member for ten years and was a constant around Horton Field House as a venue supervisor. Through the years, he assisted with the scheduling of athletic trainers, helped create the Classic scholarship program, and most importantly oversaw the coordination of the Special Olympics Shootout, now named the Ron Knisley Memorial Shootout in memory of our dear friend.

Now in its 20th year, the Shootout includes sixteen Special Olympics teams from across the state participating in a bracketed two-day tournament. We will once again be featuring exhibition games and a three-point shootout on the main Shirk Center floor as well.

Exhibition Games

Saturday, December 28
Halftime of the 4:30 game | Pontiac AIR vs SOAR

Monday, December 30
Halftime of the 5:15 game | SOAR mixed teams

3-point contest

Semifinal rounds
Saturday, December 28 | halftime of the 6:00pm and 7:30pm games

Finals
Monday, December 30 | halftime of the 7:00pm game

If you find yourself at Shirk Center on the last two days of the Holiday Classic, please take the time to check out this great experience and support these athletes.