Emily Brushafer Leads With Family, Heart, and Community

On Saturday mornings during swim season, Emily Brushafer looks across the pool deck and sees more than teammates. She sees two of her siblings swimming in the lanes beside her, two more coaching from the sidelines, and her parents serving as lifeguards.

​​“It means everything to have my whole family involved,” Emily said. “We all support each other, and that makes it really special.”

And during softball season, the scene repeats, only this time, all five siblings take the field together with their parents coaching from the dugout. 

“There are nights where my husband and I look at each other across the field, and all five of our kids are out there playing,” said Jennifer Brushafer, a Special Olympics coach and Emily’s mother. “It makes us laugh. If you had told us years ago that this is where our lives would be, we would not have believed it. We are so fortunate. It has been life-changing, and we could not be any happier.”

Beyond competing, Emily has stepped into several leadership roles within Special Olympics. She serves as a Fitness Captain and also mentors fellow athletes through her local Athlete Leadership Council.

“I help other athletes become better leaders,” Emily said. “I teach public speaking and networking, and I love seeing their confidence grow. It makes me really happy to share everything Special Olympics has to offer.”

At this year’s State Winter Games, Emily took the stage at Opening Ceremonies during the State Winter Games, delivering a speech alongside Rochester Police Department Officer Jay Vislay. During the ceremony, Emily and Jay welcomed athletes and guests to Rochester, recognized the dedication behind the Winter Games, and celebrated the spirit of courage, friendship, and inclusion that defines Special Olympics.

“I was so honored to be chosen to speak at this year’s Winter Games Opening Ceremonies,” said Emily. “It was extra special for me because I was able to do it alongside Rochester Police Department Officer Jay Vislay. He’s become a good friend of mine, all because of Special Olympics. It was a cherished moment that I’ll never forget.”

Later this year, she will travel to Minnesota to participate in a newly created national athlete leadership initiative at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Selected as one of only 10 athlete pairs from across the country, Emily will help evaluate special events and ceremonies and bring back new ideas to New York to enhance future competitions.

Her leadership is not only visible on stage. It is also reflected in the way she shows up for other athletes. Earlier this year, Emily raised more than $20,000 through the Rochester Polar Plunge, making her the top fundraiser across New York State.

Part of that total came from a creative effort close to her heart. After attending Buffalo Bills training camp, Emily collected autographed memorabilia and organized a raffle to support her Polar Plunge fundraising. With additional support from community members who hosted their own fundraising events on her behalf, the effort quickly grew beyond what she ever expected.

“I was surprised I raised that much,” Emily admitted. “I didn’t have a goal. I just wanted to raise money to help other athletes like me play the sports we love.” 

But for Emily, supporting other athletes is not only about raising money. It is also about creating new opportunities.

Earlier this year, she and her family helped launch the first Unified Special Olympics cornhole team in the Genesee Region. What started as a simple backyard game quickly turned into something much bigger.

“I loved playing it at home with my family,” Emily said. “We didn’t have a winter sport, so we thought, why not try cornhole?”

What began as a plan to start with just a few people quickly took off. Without formal advertising, word spread through teammates and friends, and within weeks, the team grew to 36 athletes and Unified partners combined, making it one of the fastest-growing programs in the region.

“We honestly thought we were going to start small with maybe four pairs,” Jennifer admitted. “That was the goal. My husband laughed and said, ‘You really think it’s only going to be four pairs?’ We didn’t advertise at all. We just mentioned we were starting a cornhole team, and people flocked to it.”

While cornhole has never been Emily’s strongest sport, her enthusiasm for the game continues to grow.

“We make fun of her,” Jennifer said with a smile. “She’s a swimmer, but she’s learning, and she has already improved so much.”

“I’m getting better,” Emily added. “Once in a while, I’ll get it in the hole or at least on the board.”

A Super Regional cornhole tournament was held on March 7 at Dansville High School, marking the first event of its kind in New York State.

For Emily, whether she is swimming laps, mentoring athletes, raising funds, or launching new teams, the heart of Special Olympics remains the same. It is about community and making sure every athlete has a place to belong.

“Come to an event and see what it’s like,” Emily said. “See what the athletes are doing and the community around them. You’ll be welcomed right away. All are welcome, all abilities. We’re one big family.”

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