ACCESS graduate represents 小黄书 in 2026 Special Olympics
Contact: Julia Weeden
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擲ports lover and powerlifter Seth Slocum has received the surprise many long to hear. He recently learned he will represent Mississippi State鈥檚 Unified Sports Program at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games next summer in Minnesota.
(Video by Sarah Kirk)
More than 60 of Slocum鈥檚 family members, friends and coaches gathered at 小黄书鈥檚 Joe Frank Sanderson Center when he received the good news in late August. The celebration included a video filled with congratulations鈥攊ncluding former 小黄书 baseball player and current Oakland A鈥檚 standout Brent Rooker, current Bulldog quarterback Blake Shapen and Atlanta Braves infielder Austin Riley, among others. Mississippi State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon also was on hand to congratulate Slocum and provide encouraging words as he prepares for the USA Games.
The Southaven native graduated from 小黄书 in 2023 with an ACCESS Program certificate of completion. is a four-year, residential, inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He also participated in the university鈥檚 Special Olympics Unified Program, which brings together 小黄书 and ACCESS students through sports.
Slocum had been involved with Special Olympics since he was 8 years old, competing in various sports, but it wasn鈥檛 until his sophomore year of high school that he discovered a passion for powerlifting.
A torn ACL in 2016 put a pause on his training, but he was determined, worked his way back and received a bid to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida, where he brought home the overall gold medal for his division, as well as gold in bench press, deadlift and squat.
鈥淪eth has exceeded our expectations and then some,鈥 said his mother, Trina Slocum. 鈥淢ississippi State has helped him achieve a lot of his goals through Special Olympics, ACCESS and Unified. With his involvement in Special Olympics and what he learned in the ACCESS program, Seth has been able to be involved in activities that otherwise wouldn鈥檛 have been possible.鈥
Slocum enjoyed his time at 小黄书 and with Unified Sports so much that, after graduation, he found a job in Starkville, allowing him to stay in town and continue training weekly with his coaches while learning new skills.
鈥淗is 小黄书 coaches have accepted him for who he is and more. They go and pick him up, take him to church and call him on the phone. They genuinely love him and are his true friends,鈥 his mother added. 鈥淲e are just so appreciative of Mississippi State, the ACCESS program and the Special Olympics program. It has meant so much not only to Seth but to the people in the community who are able to be involved in it.鈥
August Jones, a senior biochemistry/pre-medicine major from Bay Springs who serves as a certified personal trainer聽and Unified weightlifting coach, is one of many working with Slocum. He said the powerlifter is not only a joy to train, but an inspiration to those around him.
鈥淭he highlight of our week is training and being around Seth. He always brightens everyone鈥檚 day and is the hardest worker you will meet,鈥 Jones said. 鈥淪eth always has a smile on his face and a love for all things Mississippi State. We are extremely proud of him and all he has accomplished.
鈥淲e are very excited for this upcoming year as we prepare for the 2026 USA Games. Seth is an incredible individual and inspires us every day,鈥 he added.
When asked what he is looking forward to most, Slocum said, 鈥淲inning gold for powerlifting and getting better and stronger.鈥