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
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.
