From a young age, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher and coach. Sports were always at the center of my life, and I believed they had the power to shape people for the better. What I did not know was that my path would lead to something far greater than I ever imagined. In 2024, at 80 years old, I was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and also received the prestigious “Pat Summitt Lifetime Achievement Award”. After earning my degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, I returned to teach and coach at my former high school.
Later, I pursued graduate studies, eventually landing at George Peabody College in Nashville in 1972, where I was introduced to a new program called Special Olympics. Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, it offered sports opportunities to individuals with intellectual disabilities. From the time I learned about the program, I felt a deep calling like this was where God wanted me to be.
In 1973, I was honored to become the first salaried Executive Director of Special Olympics Tennessee. During the next 16 years, with strong support from our international Office, athletes, families, volunteers, board members and donors, the Tennessee program grew to include 8,000 volunteers and 13,000 athletes participating year-round in 14 different sports. The program was recognized as one of the strongest and best managed programs. In 1988, I accepted a position with the International Office and had the privilege to work with State programs and also help to establish new programs in other parts of the world.
Now, I look back with deep gratitude and pride to have been part of something so
meaningful. The Tennessee program is still strong and the effort, joy, skill, sharing
and courage of the athletes still shine.