Spirits in Action Day:


An annual event held at the USC campus organized by the non-profit organization, Spirits In Action. The day is filled with athletic events and carnival activities, and more than 300 students with disabilities from local schools attend. Hundreds of USC students come out to buddy up with student athletes and help run the event. Local businesses and private donations help keep Spirits In Action Day free for all involved and allow us to provide breakfast, lunch and t-shirts (a wonderful memento of the day) to participants.

HISTORY: SIA was founded in 1988 by USC student Minhchau Nguyen. Minh was inspired by an experience she had while being a Big Sister to a mentally challenged girl during her freshman year at USC who participated in the Loyola Marymount Special Olympics.

Minh created Spirits In Action with four stipulations: 1) it would be a student run event, with the support and participation of the entire Trojan family, 2) athletes from the immediate area around USC would have priority, 3) the event would be entirely FREE for all participants, and 4) it would be open to all students with any type of disability (this last stipulation excluded the organization from receiving help from the Special Olympics).

Ever since the first Spirits In Action Day in 1989, Spirits In Action has hosted its annual day with many athletes and volunteers participating. As the years have passed, the organization has evolved to encompass not just the planning of the event but the ongoing formation of bonds of friendship with these athletes throughout the year. It is the hope of the organization to reach as many of these students as possible and celebrate their accomplishments!

Save the date: March 3 is SIA Day 2012!