Tom White won more than 400 games in 26 seasons as Chicago De La Salle Institute’s boys head basketball coach. There were a lot of highs in a career that earned him induction into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Yet, White will tell you there were some “hard years” in which “people are transferring on you and there are things you don’t see.”
White coaches the game in a different environment these days, and it’s given him something new, special. His De La Salle/Southside team fell a bit short in its quest for a fourth straight IHSA Unified State Basketball Division 2 championship, but that was OK. White and his players had a third-place trophy Saturday and, more importantly, each other.
“In some of my years as a boys varsity coach … I don’t know if I was told too much that they loved me,” White said. “In this, they tell you they love you. They want to hug you. I think it’s a human need a little bit. It’s good to be appreciated like that instead of criticized.”
The weekend also featured the Special Olympics Illinois State Basketball Tournament in Bloomington-Normal. Among those at Illinois State’s Horton Field House was Mitzi Vasconcelles, a retired Springfield police officer who has volunteered at Special Olympics Illinois events for decades.
On the Court With Southside Unified
Southside defeated East St. Louis, 67-46, in the third-place game at the University of Illinois’ Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) in Champaign. That came after a 49-40 semifinal loss to Bradley Bourbonnais the previous day. Bradley Bourbonnais took second place Saturday behind champion Chicago Vaughn Occupational High School & St. Patrick High School.
This was White’s fourth year coaching Southside Unified, and while another state title was not to be, “It’s pretty darn good to be here,” he said.
“You get your school, the non-special needs kids, and every year you get different kids,” White said. “This year, our soccer team was state champs. Most of these kids who are De La Salle students (on Southside Unified) are soccer players. It makes a difference.
“It (Unified) is a cool thing. I think it’s something that high school kids need in order to appreciate who they are, what they are.”
Brandon Dorsey was part of Southside’s three-year championship run. An athlete with Special Olympics Illinois, he was a player for two years and a student assistant coach for one.
Dorsey and White were featured in an inspirational video at last year’s Special Olympics Illinois Champions Ball. Dorsey now attends Richard Daley Community College in Chicago and has a job at Jewel-Osco, but his impact on the team is still being felt, White said.
“He was just the nicest kid, played hard,” said White, who is in his 31st year as De La Salle’s athletic director. “He’s like my kid a little bit. He would be the glue behind the team. He just said the right things. His disabilities were not anything of what his heart was and his head was. He saw things and understood things.
“Awesome kid, and he still has remnants in this program. He would say NWG .. Now We Go! Then everybody would start dancing and stuff.”
Dorsey said he joined a teammate to create “hype” for Southside through music.
“My teammate is a rapper and I am a music producer, so we’d create a rap song to get the team hyped up before our game started,” he said.
Dorsey believes he is still reaping the benefits of being with Southside Unified.
“Now that I’m in college, I feel like I carry that with me,” he said. “It’s for like, ‘work as a team, do your part.’ I deal with that with work and with school, so whatever I’m doing that does not involve basketball, I feel like I’m still in it because you’re working as a group.”
Vasconcelles is a Region H volunteer who got involved in Special Olympics Illinois long before she retired from the Springfield Police Department in 2002.
Her first event was the Spring Games in Springfield and she was one of only five volunteers, something she said “is unheard of today.”
Vasconcelles was among those handing out awards and medals at the State Basketball Tournament. At the Summer Games tournament, she works on the track.
She said she enjoys both roles, as well as regional and local events. Earlier this month, she volunteered at the Springfield area’s Polar Plunge, which raised more than $130,000 for Special Olympics Illinois. Asked if she participates in the Polar Plunge, she said, “I do not. As I tell people, I am the last sane person they see before they go in the water.”
Among her favorite aspects of volunteering is seeing the joy of the athletes when they receive their medals.
“Oh, they’re so exuberant. They’re so proud of themselves,” Vasconcelles said. “It’s been a long weekend for some, you know. And this is the culmination of all their hard work. That’s what’s special. And what’s really fun is no matter how they place, they’re excited.
“I mean, I like to say it’s true athletic competition. Everybody is pulling for everybody. And if you watch the games, if somebody falls down, somebody’s there to help them up. I mean, it’s wonderful.”
Vasconcelles said she has come to know numerous coaches and families as a Special Olympics Illinois volunteer, including many from Chatham. She has a treasure trove of fond memories as a volunteer, too many to choose a favorite, she said.
Asked for a word to describe herself, she replied, “Humble, I guess. Humble to be around all these wonderful athletes.”
Lily Goodfellow has a message for other Special Olympics Illinois athletes, delivered through the example she sets in front of a microphone, video camera, or computer keyboard:
You can do it.
You can make your voice heard, share stories and have an impact beyond athletic competition.
“I just want them to know that they can help make the world a better place,” she said.
It is not a catch phrase for the 22-year-old Goodfellow. She lives it every day through podcasts, videos, and the written word.
Goodfellow will attend the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, June 20–26, where more than 70 members of Team Illinois will take part in the games experience. She will serve in a non-competitive sports reporting role, producing written, video, and other content to highlight the event before, during, and after the games.
“I’ve never been to the [Special Olympics] USA Games, so it’s the very first time for me,” she said. “I am looking forward to seeing everyone and getting to interview them.”
Born with Down syndrome, Goodfellow is passionate about sports. She has competed with Special Olympics Illinois from a young age, formerly in swimming and track and more recently in basketball, powerlifting and bocce. She also loves the theater, performing throughout her youth in local productions and musicals.
“She loved being on stage and in the spotlight,” said her mother, Nancy.
That outgoing personality led to Lily joining the Hawks TV club at Naperville Central High School. She conducted on-camera interviews with Redhawks’ athletes and developed her own segment called, “Lily’s Inclusion Corner.” It highlighted inclusion opportunities within the school, many based on Special Olympics Illinois.
She was recipient of the Strongest Redhawk Award, which her mother said goes annually to “someone who did what they could to make positive change in the school and exemplified the qualities the school tries to get behind.”
Lily has served as co-emcee for Special Olympics Illinois’ Champions Ball and emcee for the Chicago Ducky Derby. She also traveled to Los Angeles three times to broadcast the Gaming for Inclusion e-sports celebrity showcase alongside another Special Olympics athlete and a professional broadcaster. In 2024, her work there led to being honored as the “Game Changing On-Air Talent” by an organization called Cynopsis.
While attending the College of DuPage, Lily began writing a weekly question-and-answer story from Athlete of the Week interviews. She has continued that for the college newspaper as a graduate of the school and recently was deemed a “Highlighted Alum” by the Board of Trustees.
“I really like all of it, actually,” she said of her media endeavors. “I think the best part is actually I have my own YouTube Channel (Lily’s Sports Beat), so I have experience doing interviews.”
Her connection to Special Olympics Illinois began early. She was part of the first class of the Young Athletes program, which introduces children ages 2–7 to the basics of sports and prepares them for future Special Olympics training and competition.
The oldest of Ross and Nancy Goodfellow’s three children, she has had the support of her siblings. Luke, 21, is a student at British Columbia University in Vancouver, and Holly, 19, attends the University of Maryland.
“They’ve both been very involved,” Nancy Goodfellow said. “Lily and Luke went through a high school leadership program together. Both (Luke and Holly) were Special Olympics Illinois peers and worked for the special rec association. They’ve been very supportive.”
Lily is a guest services associate and greeter for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Stars. At the United Center, she checks tickets for Bulls and Blackhawks games to ensure attendees have tickets for her section.
One day, she hopes to work for some, or all, of those teams in a different capacity.
‘I want to have a career,” she said.
The goal is to do on-air, in-arena interviews, etc. Those likely would come with her standing on a step stool.
At 4 feet, 6 inches, Lily often is much shorter than the person she interviews. Thus, Nancy said, “We carry around a stool in the car.”
Height aside, Lily stands tall in all the ways that matter. That warms the hearts of her parents.
“My husband and I often say we are entirely blessed that she found something she was passionate about,” Nancy said. “For her to be able to do something she loves so much and to see how much Special Olympics Illinois and others have lifted her up and done everything possible to make her dream come true, it has been amazing.
“It’s a little overwhelming as a parent to see how much people love her and want to support her. That’s pretty great.”
As Team Illinois prepares for the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota this June, Lily will bring fans behind the scenes in a new way. Stay tuned over the next few months as she shares interviews, stories and updates, beginning with Team Illinois’ training camp in late April. Learn more about Team Illinois and the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
Respect Week is an annual, statewide movement where students celebrate during the first week in March by championing inclusion, kindness, and respect within their schools and communities.
Each year, the Special Olympics Illinois Unified Generation Committee develops the Respect Week campaign focusing on disability awareness and respect for all This statewide effort will reach more than 205,000 students across Illinois, creating real change through unified action.
The 2026 campaign will educate the community on disabilities like hydrocephalus, autism spectrum, microcephaly, craniosynostosis, ADHD, and more.
“Thank you to everyone who has promoted and encouraged engagement in this outstanding campaign,” shares Jillian Hosteny, Director – Youth Leadership & College Engagement, Special Olympics Illinois. “Our Youth Leaders are very proud of the work they have done.”
Respect Week promotes respect for all people, of all abilities, through shared activities and meaningful conversations. Schools across Illinois will spend the week celebrating what it means to be unified, to be kind, and to be courageous enough to speak up.
Standing Up Against Bullying
A key part of building a culture of respect is recognizing how our words and actions affect others, especially when it comes to bullying. This featured anti-bullying video encourages students to think deeply about how they treat one another.
Many of our Youth Leaders, like Unified pair Ireland and Derek, are already setting that powerful example. Special Olympics Illinois sat down with them to discuss bullying in schools.
One sign of respect is taking responsibility when you’ve hurt someone, according to Ireland. “Always apologize,” she says. “Realize what you did wrong and try to fix it.” Her message reminds us that change begins with acknowledging our impact and choosing to do better.
Derek adds another important perspective, calling on students to look out for one another. “Stop the hate, stop being mean to other kids.” His message is simple but strong: respect starts when we decide that every person deserves to feel safe and valued. He adds, “stop the bullying, just end it.”
These insights reinforce what Respect Week is all about, creating spaces where kindness is the norm, differences are celebrated, and students feel ready to stand up for themselves and each other.
For more than three decades, Colleen Costello has been a powerful leader within Special Olympics Illinois. She first got involved at age 10, when she asked her coach, Jenny, if she could compete in gymnastics — a moment that sparked a partnership now 30 years strong.
Her athletic journey has taken her around the world, including the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, where she competed in rhythmic gymnastics and earned multiple medals. It was her first time competing in rhythmic gymnastics at the world stage, and the experience was unforgettable.
“I was so excited when I got my first gold medal… and then I got the second, third, and fourth,” she said.
But even in those proud moments, Colleen was thinking about how to help other athletes experience the same excitement and opportunities that Special Olympics had given her.
That instinct to support others is what led Colleen to the Special Olympics Illinois Board of Directors, where she is now serving her third term. Her path to the state board began at the local level, where she first served on her agency’s board to share athlete perspectives and learn more about leadership. “I like being on the board so I can get their opinions and give them my ideas,” she said.
Colleen takes that responsibility seriously. Before every meeting, she gathers feedback from athletes, coaches, and parents to bring their ideas directly to leadership. “They have good ideas,” she said.
She believes deeply in the importance of athlete voices in decision-making. “If you’re not an athlete, you don’t know what it’s like to be an athlete,” Colleen said. “So it’s my job to tell the board what it’s like.”
For Colleen, inclusion is at the heart of everything she does — both as an athlete and as a leader. “Inclusion means that we make the right decisions for everybody, so that all people can participate in special events,” she said. “If I’m on the board, I’m helping all the other athletes.”
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate Colleen for her leadership, her advocacy, and the countless ways she lifts others up. Through her voice, dedication, and passion for inclusion, Colleen continues to make Special Olympics Illinois stronger for athletes today and for generations to come.
Earlier this month, leaders from Special Olympics Illinois traveled to Washington, D.C. for Capitol Hill Day, joining advocates from across the country to meet with members of Congress. Their purpose was simple but powerful: share how Special Olympics’ programs are changing lives, and advocate for continued federal funding to ensure those opportunities continue for future generations.
Capitol Hill Day puts faces to the funding. When athletes and students speak directly to lawmakers, they show that inclusion is not just an idea, it’s a lived experience shaping schools and communities every day.
Friendship That Speaks Volumes
For Derek Otero, a Special Olympics Illinois athlete and student at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School (BBCHS), the week was unforgettable.
“My favorite about Capitol Hill week is meeting people from different states and having fun with them,” he said. “I felt extremely blessed to meet every Congressman/woman we met, it was a life-changing experience.”
His message was rooted in connection: “My impact is to create as many friendships as you can, it is always a blessing to do it.”
That spirit was evident in his Unified partner, Calvin Kohl.
“Meeting with members of Congress was both nerve wracking and empowering,” Calvin shared. “It felt like it was an opportunity to represent so many others and impact thousands of people across the country.”
He left with a clear understanding of why advocacy matters. “Inclusion doesn’t just happen on its own, it takes a lot of effort, leadership, and advocacy for support … each of our voices has more value than we might think.”
Their friendship and teamwork did not go unnoticed. Pete Beale-DelVecchio, President & CEO of Special Olympics Illinois, reflected:
“The most memorable part of Capitol Hill Day this year was watching the interactions between Calvin and Derek. They have a great partnership and a true friendship.”
Together, Derek and Calvin demonstrated exactly what Unified stands for — friendship, leadership, and mutual support.
Gold Medal Moments on Capitol Hill
Athlete Leader Katie O’Neill brought energy, gratitude, and emotion to every part of Capitol Hill Day. One of her favorite moments was meeting Representative Nikki Budzinski and presenting her gold medal.
Athlete Leader Katie O’Neill brought energy, gratitude, and emotion to every part of Capitol Hill Day. One of her favorite moments was meeting Representative Nikki Budzinski and presenting her gold medal.
“If it weren’t for people like her, I would have never been able to win a gold medal!” Katie said. She also loved standing in the Capitol gallery, calling it the “room where it all happens,” a reference to the musical Hamilton she discussed with Rep. Budzinski.
The day was deeply moving. “It was so inspiring! And so powerful! I cried and so did my mom,” she recalled. But beyond the emotion, Katie felt truly heard. “They respect us and want to hear what we have to say. I could tell they were listening.”
Amanda Walker, educator and Special Olympics Illinois coordinator at BBCHS, highlighted the impact of the experience: “All of the staff… listened intently, asked questions, and offered support for our mission. It reminded me that advocacy, at any level, can make a difference.”
Building Communities of Belonging
Capitol Hill Day is a chance to show lawmakers why federal support for Special Olympics programs is essential. These programs help individuals build confidence, form lasting friendships, and develop leadership skills that carry into their communities.
Mo Khan, Senior Director of Advancement & Government Relations at Special Olympics Illinois, explained, “Public funding to support health, education, and opportunity for millions of American families who are a part of the greater disability community is a great investment.”
Through their stories on Capitol Hill, Illinois’ delegation showed that funding Special Olympics isn’t just about programs, it’s about building communities where everyone belongs.
Athletes, families, and supporters filled Chestnut Mountain Resort on the second day of the 2026 Winter Games, where athletes moved between award ceremonies and the next round of competition. bringing excitement, and plenty of smiles, to one of Special Olympics Illinois’ most anticipated state tournaments of the year.
Among them was first-time athlete Kelial Crooks, who had just earned his first Winter Games medal. “I’m feeling pretty good,” Kelial said, holding tight to the slalom medal that marked a milestone moment in his young alpine skiing career.
Kelial, an athlete from Region F, previously competed at his local regionals, but stepping into the statewide event felt different. The mountain was busier, the cheers were louder, and the stakes were higher. And he noted how it felt to arrive at Winter Games.
“Exciting — and a little bit nervous,” he shared.
What stood out most to him wasn’t the run itself. It was the people. “Being surrounded by people and family and friends,” he said. “Happy.”
Kelial credits his coach for helping him get to this point. “I would like to thank my coach, Tom, who helped me a lot with skiing,” he said. That mix of teamwork and trust, seen across every corner of Winter Games, is part of what makes these days so meaningful.
From the Mountain to the Snowshoe Course
At Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, Region D athlete DiegoVillarreal was also celebrating a strong performance after medaling in the 50‑meter snowshoe race.
“I feel awesome,” he said, describing what it meant to compete with his team from Marquette Park.
For Diego, being part of a team is at the heart of his Special Olympics Illinois experience. “Having fun with my friends,” he said. “That’s my favorite part.”
He also takes that role seriously. When asked whether he feels like a leader on his team, he didn’t hesitate. “Yes.” And his approach to leadership is simple: be the one who brings energy.
“I was high-fiving them,” he said with a grin. “Yeah, it gets them hyped up.”
He explained why those moments matter. “If they’re having [a] down time, I try to make them right.” Diego prepared for Winter Games with stretching, drills, and regular practice across several sports. But his message to future athletes was straightforward: “Have fun. If you’re scared, take some deep breaths.”
That steady presence is something his mother, Joanne Rodriguez, has watched grow over the years.
“He started competing when he was eight, and it’s been a whole life experience,” she said.
Before joining Special Olympics Illinois, Diego often struggled to find spaces where he felt included. “They never let him play,” she said. “He would come home sad.”
Finding Special Olympics Illinois changed everything.
“He just fits right in,” she said. “I love watching him compete. It’s amazing to see what he’s accomplished.”
Joanne has watched him step into leadership naturally. “He likes to pump up his teammates,” she said. “He gets nervous, but once he’s with them, the nerves go away. They just pump each other up.”
This year marks the family’s second Winter Games, and the memories already stand out, from last year’s joke about snowshoeing “not in snow” that was followed by an overnight snowfall, to this year’s breakthrough moment when Diego won his division.
“Seeing him so proud makes me happy,” Joanne said.
For her, the growth she sees in Diego extends well beyond the finish line. “Leadership has made him more talkative,” she said. “He’s able to do speeches. I’m shy about speeches, and to see him do something that’s so hard for me, I love him for that.”
When asked what she’d tell another parent considering Special Olympics Illinois, her answer was clear: “It’s a joy. You’ll see your child blossom.”
The 2026 Winter Games concluded in Galena with the moments that matter most at Special Olympics Illinois: athletes pushing toward new goals, teammates supporting one another, and families celebrating every achievement. View Winter Games photos and results.
