Special Olympics New York Coach Kevin Anderson, of Jamestown, Named 2024 Special Olympics North America Outstanding Coach of the Year

Selected from International Field of More Than 100,000

Buffalo, NY – Special Olympics New York coach Kevin Anderson received recognition from Special Olympics North America when he was awarded the 2024 Special Olympics North America Outstanding Coach of the Year.

As a golf, swimming, and bocce coach at the local, regional, and national level for more than 10 years, Kevin is a mainstay in the Western Region. A bocce coach for Team New York at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, Anderson is also a member of the Special Olympics NY Statewide Coaches Committee. Outside of coaching, Kevin also serves as a clinician, event director, and member of the Statewide Coaches Committee. In 2024, he won Special Olympics NY’s Coach of the Year Award.

The Outstanding Coach Award recognizes the coach who best demonstrates the true ideals of the coaching profession in a local program. This person leads by example and expects athletes to set and strive to reach goals. Separate categories are available for coaches who work in school-based environments (Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® programming) and community-based environments.

An impressive field of 18 coaches was submitted from the more than 116,000 coaches who volunteer their time across North America, making the job of the selection committee no small task.

“Kevin Anderson is the type of coach all coaches aspire to be,” said Stacey Hengsterman, President & CEO of Special Olympics NY. “He’s supportive, hardworking, dedicated, compassionate, and so much more. We’re so excited to see him get this sort of recognition on the national level.”

“Thank you for everything you have done, Kevin,” said Central Region athlete Kayla McKeon, whom Kevin coached at USA Games in 2022. “Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. I am so proud to call you my coach, and my friend.”

“Kevin is the glue that holds the Chautauqua Lakers training club together, and is beloved by the athletes,” said Michael Paglicci, Director of Program in Special Olympics NY’s Western Region. “The respect and admiration his athletes hold for him is always noticeable and unique even in the organization. Kevin also holds great relationships with other coaches throughout the region and state —he is held in high regard for his commitment and demeanor.”

“Being a Special Olympics Coach has afforded me unlimited returns,” said Kevin. “The opportunity to mentor young adults and watch them grow to become not only better athletes but also lead fulfilling rich lives, is humbling to say the least. The rewards come in watching athletes achieve their best, whether that be swimming their best heat or hitting that incredible shot on the last hole. There is no doubt that the coach receives more than the athlete receives. I believe that becoming a Special Olympics coach was one of the wisest, if not the wisest, decision I ever made.”

Kevin represents thousands of coaches who support the development of 48,000 athletes and Unified partners. Join Special Olympics NY in providing quality sports training and competition opportunities to individuals with intellectual disabilities by becoming a coach today.

Special Olympics is proud to partner with Gallagher, a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, and Official Sponsor of Special Olympics International Sport and Coach Programming. Gallagher’s support of the Special Olympics movement stems from a shared commitment to inclusion. Special Olympics and Gallagher are empowering athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to face their future with confidence—on and off the playing field—through quality coaching and sports training experiences.

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