Awards & Recognitions
Recognizing those who make an impact on the Special Olympics of Kansas in their own way.
Awards & Recognitions
Recognizing those who make an impact on Special Olympics Kansas and our mission of inclusion.
ANNUAL AWARDS
Each year Special Olympics Kansas recognizes outstanding individuals who contribute to the organization. As a non-profit we couldn’t do what we do for individuals with intellectual disabilities in Kansas without the support of thousands of volunteer coaches, event management teams, and partner organizations throughout the state. Winners for each category are recognized at the Summer Games opening ceremony each year.
Annual awards are given for the following categories: Family of the Year, Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Law Enforcement Torch Run Champion, and Organization of the Year. In addition, one athlete is selected and recognized as the Most Inspirational Athlete at summer games. Each year a group of outstanding athletes are also selected for induction in the SOKS Athlete Hall of Fame, and a law enforcement officer is chosen for the Richard LaMunyon Hall of Fame.
2025 AWARDS NOMINATIONS ARE CLOSED
Athlete Hall of Fame – Submit a Nomination Here
Coach of the Year – Submit a Nomination Here
Volunteer of the Year – Submit a Nomination Here
Organization of the Year – Submit a Nomination Here
Family of the Year – Submit a Nomination Here
Unified Partner of the Year – Submit a Nomination Here
Myron Cramer Photo of the Year – Submit a Nomination Here
2025 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Athletes inducted into the Hall of Fame are selected based on participation, sportsmanship, training hours and attitude towards the Special Olympics program. Nominations are accepted each year, and the induction happens at The Victory Gala. The Special Olympics Kansas Hall of Fame is located at the headquarters office in Mission.
Adam Pendlay
Leavenworth County
Beulah “Bootsie” Batalia
Mosaic Pittsburg
Savannah Koehn
Dodge City Dodgers
Shirley Strange
Wichita Independents
Terri Kitch
Mosaic Pittsburg
Gary May
Topeka Shawnee
HALL OF FAME POLOS
Special Olympics Kansas is providing the opportunity for past Hall of Fame Athletes to get an SOKS Hall of Fame Polo at cost. We are proud of you and you should be proud of yourself! Show off your honor with pride! Download the Order Form Here
MIRIAM GREENFIELD COURAGE AWARD
Miriam Greenfield is a lifelong storyteller. She is a three-time national sports Emmy winner. Her 25-year career at ESPN has taken her to 48 of 50 states and over 20 countries covering the NFL, MLB, NBA, Special Olympics USA and World Games and the World Cup.
The most meaningful stories she has told are not of professional athletes. But people that demonstrated an extraordinary amount of bravery and courage: a Special Olympics athlete who was bullied and battled severe depression who became a global ambassador and won six gold medals at World Games, a young race car driver who suffered third degree burns over most of her body to return to racing and beat men twice her age, an Air Force pararescueman that returned to active duty following losing his leg in an attack.
That courage and bravery is something Miriam needed during her battles with life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries. She is fortunate for the people along the way that have inspired her and cheered her on.
The 2025 Miriam Greenfield Courage Award Winner is Carolyn Brown!
2025 ORGANIZATIONS OF THE YEAR
Organizations from each region are recognized annually for their contribution to Special Olympics Kansas.
KC Metro Region
Toyota
North Central Region
United Capital Management of Kansas
Southeast Region
Jakes Fireworks
South Central Region
Cargill
West Region
Lewis Ford in Dodge City
2025 VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
Volunteers from each region are recognized annually for their contribution to Special Olympics Kansas.
KC Metro Region
Glenda McCleary
North Central Region
Idana Perkins
Southeast Region
Stephanie Stark
South Central Region
Gloria Hostetler
West Region
Brandy Unruh
2025 COACHES OF THE YEAR
Coaches from each region are recognized annually for their contribution to Special Olympics Kansas.
KC Metro Region
Whitney Medlin
North Central Region
Miranda Gil
Southeast Region
Amber Kloster
South Central Region
Teresa Enneking
West Region
Nathan Schulte
2025 FAMILY OF THE YEAR
Families from each region are recognized annually for their contribution to Special Olympics Kansas.
KC Metro Region
Dujakovich Family
North Central Region
Davis Family
Southeast Region
Norton Family
South Central Region
Duane Kunkel Family
West Region
Sarah, Ashlynn, Bryson, Jacob Erickson and Jayden Warner
2025 UNIFIED PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Unified Partners from each region are recognized annually for their contribution to Special Olympics Kansas.
KC Metro Region
Morgan Forshee
North Central Region
Andrew Bazaldua
Southeast Region
Brook Derby
South Central Region
Willy Jon Morales
2024 LEGACY AWARDS
Nan Kanter
Jane & Denise Mentlick
Joy Riebel
Kim Schnee
Dave & Mary Van Schuyver
Gail Yohn
RICHARD LAMUNYON HALL OF FAME
The Richard LaMunyon Torch Run Hall of fame was created to recognize outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed to the statewide success of the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Special Olympics. The winner’s involvement must demonstrate a sustained and significant contribution to the achievement of the goals of the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run. The minimum requirements for this award are at least five (5) years of participation with the Kansas Torch Run, outstanding achievement in program development, organization, and fundraising success.
Congratulations to the Richard LaMunyon Hall of Fame recipient Bob Sanderson.
2025 LETR CHAMPION
Rachel Pate
Don’t see the name of someone you think deserves to be recognized and thanked? Then please consider nominating them for an award this year. For questions and/or to submit nomination forms contact burtc@soks.org or by fax 913 236 9771. Nomination Forms and Awards Criteria are available under the Nominations Forms tab at the top of the page. Please download and save to your computer before completing the forms. Nominations can also be mailed to the headquarters office at Special Olympics Kansas, 5280 Foxridge Drive, Mission, KS 66202.
