ESPN reporter Michele Steele was recognized for her volunteer work with Special Olympics as she was named the 2019 Commentator of the Year as part of the network’s volunteer of the year awards announced last Friday.
Per the release, the awards focused on employees who are self-directed in their service and committed to supporting their cause and community throughout the year.
In February, Steele was part of Special Olympics’ Unified Champion Schools national conference in San Diego. Olympian High School in Chula Vista hosted a school visit, and Steele emceed a Unified basketball game that day.
Steele also is involved with Special Olympics in Chicago.
“For me, volunteering with Special Olympics and Unified Sports, in particular, has given me such a tangible definition of what inclusion is,” she said. “We all know what diversity means, but inclusion is, ‘Do you belong?’ The answer in Special Olympics’ case is yes, and the answer at ESPN is, yes. If you love sports, you’re included. By volunteering with Special Olympics, I’ve realized such a meaningful definition of the word inclusion.”