Special Olympics New York Announces 2026 Outstanding Coach of the Year Nominees

Nine Coaches Nominated from Each Region of New York State

Albany, NY – After months of careful deliberation, the nominations are in. One coach from each of Special Olympics New York’s nine geographic regions has been nominated for the 2026 Outstanding Coach of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at Special Olympics New York’s State Winter Games Opening Ceremonies on Friday, February 20 in Rochester.

The candidates were nominated by Special Olympics NY staff and peers in their respective regions, based on their contributions to athletes and the movement throughout 2025. The winner was then selected by the Statewide Coaches Committee, which is comprised of coaches from throughout New York.

“Special Olympics New York coaches are so much more than volunteers; they are leaders, advocates and friends to our athletes,” said President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “Our movement simply does not work without the dedication, guidance, and support of our coaches. It is an honor to recognize each of the nominees prior to revealing the winner at State Winter Games.”

The nominees are as follows:

Colleen Belanger, Capital District Region: Colleen’s coaching goes beyond the playing field. She’s an educator, a liaison, a role model, and a lifelong friend to so many people she serves. She has supported all of Saratoga High School’s offerings by starting new sports, mentoring aspiring coaches and teachers, and cultivating experiences for her Youth Activation Committee.

Rebecca Sherwood, Genesee Region: Whether it’s flag football, bocce, floorball, fitness, or soccer, Rebecca has coached a new sport for each of the five years she’s volunteered with our organization. She’s even one of the founding coaches of a brand-new training club in the area, leading them to bronze and gold medal finishes at their first two competitions.

Laura Li, Central Region: Laura has been a pillar of the Central Region for 20 years, acting as a coach, clinician, fundraiser, and ambassador. She has served as her region’s State Games Head of Delegation for several years and helps lead the local Athlete Leadership Council. Her willingness and effort to support and grow program activities and development initiatives is exemplary.

Nancy Bellini, Hudson Valley Region: With a tremendous four decades of coaching experience, Nancy is one of our organization’s most dedicated coaches. From local competitions all the way to World Games, she’s inspired athletes at every level of competition, coaching year-round in multiple sports.

Terry Uellendahl, Long Island Region: Terry is always working to make Special Olympics New York the best it can be. Not only does he coach golf; he also strives to improve all aspects of golf programs around the state. In addition to those responsibilities, he serves as a Sport Director and on his local Games Organizing Committee.

Kayla Ware, North Country Region: “The backbone of our North County Region.” That’s how Kayla’s local staff describe her. She attends every competition, fundraiser, and outreach event, despite commutes of up to five hours at a time. Kayla’s humility, passion, and relentless drive make her an extraordinary role model and advocate for athlete growth.

Victor Pantopoulos, New York City Region: It doesn’t matter if it’s a local or state-level competition, a Polar Plunge, a gala, a Youth Summit, or a conference—you’ll find Victor there with his athletes. He exemplifies the spirit of our movement, serving as a positive role model and always pushing for meaningful involvement.

Karli Buday, Southern Tier Region: Without Karli’s dedication, activity in the Southern Tier Region wouldn’t be what it is today. In addition to coaching for more than 20 years, she also serves as Area Coordinator, a role integral to competition and fundraising in the community. Karli is a true ambassador for Special Olympics New York.

Lisa Balus, Western Region: “There’s always a home for them with me.” Those are Lisa’s words to athletes looking for new teams, and she embodies them every day. She’s coached bowling, floorball, and soccer for more than 20 years, certifying numerous coaches along the way. She even serves as her region’s Head of Delegation for State Games, whether she’s coaching or not.

Members of the media interested in interviewing our nominees can contact Casey Vattimo at cvattimo@nyso.org for more information. 

SHARE THIS: