2016 SOILL Outstanding Athlete of the Year

Charles Dunn of Belleville has been named the 2016 Special Olympics Illinois’ Outstanding Athlete of the Year Award. He was honored at a reception June 10 before the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games Opening Ceremony at Illinois State University in Normal. The Outstanding Athlete Award recognizes a Special Olympics Illinois athlete whose achievements, dedication and…

Read More…

2016 SOILL Outstanding Coach of the Year

Jennifer Hitt of Edwardsville has been named the 2016 Special Olympics Illinois’ Outstanding Coach of the Year Award. She will be honored at a reception June 10 before the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games Opening Ceremony at Illinois State University in Normal. The Outstanding Coach Award recognizes the coach who best demonstrates the true ideals…

Read More…

For This Team, It’s All About the Big Picture

PTOEC of Belleville knows of the amazing benefits that Special Olympics Illinois offers for its athletes. They know that Special Olympics Illinois dramatically changes the lives of the athletes. PTOEC (Parent Teacher Organization for Exceptional Children) has been participating in the Polar Plunge for four years. They became involved in the Plunge because two of…

Read More…

SOILL Coach Recognized as Finalist for National Award

Jennifer Hitt of Edwardsville, head coach of the Bellveille PTOEC gymnastics team, was recently recognized as a finalist for the annual Special Olympics North America Coach of the Year Award. The Special Olympics North America Coach of the Year Award was established in the late 1980s and is given annually to an active, certified Special…

Read More…

Alton Athlete Realizes Potential Through Special Olympics

Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. That is especially true of Matthew Maag (Matt), 18, of Alton. Since his start with Special Olympics in the fall of 2011 with Alton School District, Matt has surpassed all expectations that his…

Read More…