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 the Special Olympics of Kansas in their own way.

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

Athlete Hall of Fame – Coming Soon

Coach of the Year – Coming Soon

Volunteer of the Year – Coming Soon

Organization of the Year – Coming Soon

Family of the Year – Coming Soon

Unified Partner of the Year – Coming Soon

Myron Cramer Photo of the Year – Coming Soon

Questions? Email pr@soks.org

2024 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.

Adina Simon

Air Capitol Flyers

Becky Saathoff

Douglas County Jayhawks

Carl Danielson

Hays Buffaloes

Kiel Miller

Haysville Hornets

Rosemary Dorr

KCK Huggers

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 2024 Miriam Greenfield Courage Award Winner is Eve Lindberg!

2024 MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARDS

It is an honor to recognize outstanding service to our organization. These individuals and groups have made a significant difference in the lives of our athletes in our programming and in our mission. SOKS is proud to recognize their accomplishments.

Coach of the Year

Amanda Hammond - The Storm

Organization of the Year

United Capital Management Inc. - Salina

Unified Partner of the Year

Maddie Smith - Erie High School

Volunteer of the Year

Sandy Miller - Kansas City

Family of the Year

DeMaio/Swindol Families - Pittsburg

2024 ORGANIZATIONS OF THE YEAR

Organizations from each region are recognized annually for their contribution to Special Olympics Kansas.

KC Metro Region

University of Kansas Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity

Southeast Region

Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative Inc.

South Central Region

Knights of Columbus Council

North Central Region

Twin Valley Developmental Services

West Region

National Beef

2024 VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR

Volunteers from each region are recognized annually for their contribution to Special Olympics Kansas.

KC Metro Region

Sid Kanter

Southeast Region

Rob Emery

South Central Region

Larry and Betty Zoglmann

North Central Region

Pamela Anderson

West Region

Carole Edwardson

2024 COACHES OF THE YEAR

Coaches from each region are recognized annually for their contribution to Special Olympics Kansas.

KC Metro Region

Joel Wagler

Southeast Region

Jannah Farrington

South Central Region

Audra Gray

North Central Region

Zach Weibert

West Region

Tammy Slayton

2024 FAMILY OF THE YEAR

Families from each region are recognized annually for their contribution to Special Olympics Kansas.

KC Metro Region

Shelly, Brad, Christy, & Caitlyn Pendlay

Southeast Region

Wendy Tegtman and Gregory Singleton

South Central Region

Mike and Danielle Romme and Family

West Region

Roberta, Kassie, and Drake Oborny

2024 LEGACY AWARDS

Carole Edwardson

John Haggerty

Nancy Rumold

Shirleen & Raymond Augustine

Nancy Aspegren

Michele Johnson

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 recipients Larabe Alexander and James Browning.

2024 LETR CHAMPIONS

Erin Wannow and Alli Larison

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 pr@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.