Category: Coach
INSIDE SOSC: Growing Family
Special Olympics Southern California family has been growing, and quickly. From the more than 34,500 athletes to the families that take them to every practice and competition, Special Olympics is one big family. It's size continues to grow as evidence by the past four days during these very hot summer days. From the Orange County ...
2018 USA Games: July 3 Round-up
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Two more Special Olympics Southern California teams felt the joy of a victory at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games for the first time on Tuesday. Both the women's basketball team and Unified soccer team bounced back from 0-2 starts in pool play. Women's Basketball Bernadette Valencia scored 10 of her 12 ...
High Honors Cap 2018 Summer Games
There was no shortage of praise and deserved honors to go around Sunday as more than 1,100 athletes were celebrated for their athletic achievements at the 2018 Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games at Cal State Long Beach. • Day Two Photo Gallery  •  What They're Saying at Summer Games Medals were awarded in basketball, bocce, ...
What They’re Saying at 2018 Summer Games – Day 2
Athletes and attendees left the 2018 Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games with a lifetime of memories Sunday at Cal State Long Beach. Here's what some of them had to say: Athletes "It gives me the opportunity to play and not worry about skill level. ... I was looking for a team to play on ...
USA Games Spotlight: Sarah Kovacs
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeFKaUvDNqM[/embedyt] By Hannah van Warmerdam There is a special kind of bond between a father and a daughter. Special Olympics athlete Sarah Kovacs has the distinction of additionally being coached by her father, Tom, in track and field. This father-daughter duo have both been involved with Special Olympics for more than 11 years and ...
INSIDE SOSC: Volunteers Drive Regional Competitions
It was a fitting end to National Volunteer Week last weekend at regional competitions throughout Special Olympics Southern California. Volunteers came out in record numbers to support some of the longer running regional competitions, including the Pomona Valley Area Games at Boys Republic and the San Diego County Athletics Regional at Point Loma Nazarene University. ...
National Volunteer Week Spotlight: Thank You, Coaches
As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, Special Olympics Southern California would like to recognize the coaches who volunteer their time to help train our more than 34,000 athletes. It is often said that they are impacted more than the athletes they coach. In fact, here are some of the coaches, in their own words, from ...
National Volunteer Week Spotlight: Valerie Ruiz
By Ashley Carney The Sweetwater Union High School District in San Diego awarded Valerie Ruiz “Special Educator of the Year” for her tireless work and dedication toward getting the district involved with Special Olympics Unified Sports. When Unified Sports was first introduced to the SUHSD in January 2016, Valerie was in the middle of a ...
#SundaySpotlight: David Amavisca
David Amavisca’s involvement with Special Olympics Southern California started as a parent, like many. David and his wife, Yndira, then branched out into volunteering, and specifically coaching. David’s impact has reached far more than just his son, Elias, as he was named the 2018 Floor Hockey Coach of the Season. David, a Santa Maria resident, ...
#SundaySpotlight: Kent Menendez
By Christian Barel Trying something new can be a path to a lifelong passion. For Kent Menendez, this statement holds true. Not afraid to immerse himself in new experiences, he attempted playing almost every sport. However, with those sports something didn’t seem to mesh with him. Well, at least that was the case, until he ...