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.
2024 AWARDS NOMINATIONS - CLOSED!
Athlete Hall of Fame – CLOSED
Coach of the Year – CLOSED
Volunteer of the Year – CLOSED
Organization of the Year – CLOSED
Family of the Year – CLOSED
Unified Partner of the Year – CLOSED
Myron Cramer Photo of the Year – CLOSED
New Certificate of Appreciation and All-State Program - SEPTEMBER 15 DEADLINE TO NOMINATE
Special Olympics Kansas wants to help our Local Programs recognize program supporters and athletes on an annual basis. We believe honoring and recognizing those involved in the program is an essential part of what we do. Therefore, we are introducing our Certificate of Appreciation and Athlete All-State Program in 2024. Each team can recognize one individual or organization that supports the program in any capacity and one active athlete that best represents your team. These two recognition programs are also good feeders into future Hall of Fame and Making a Difference Awards. SOKS will provide your program with a nice printed certificate for each and a patch for the All-State program.
2023 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 announcements are made at the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Games. The Special Olympics Kansas Hall of Fame is located at the headquarters office in Mission.
Aubrey Cauley
Mosaic Pittsburg
Shannon Hardin
Emporia Express
Melissa Hylton
KCK Kings
David Payne
Emporia Express
Rex West
Wichita Independents
Linda Heine
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 2023 Miriam Greenfield Courage Award Winner is Brady Tanner!
2023 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
Noalee McDonald-Augustine
LETR Champion
Pat Mahoney - Priarie Village Police Department
Unified Partner of the Year
Hannah Duskie - Bonner Springs High School
Volunteer of the Year
Amy Pavlik – McPherson Bullpups
Family of the Year
The Folks Family - Douglas County Jayhawks
ORGANIZATIONS OF THE YEAR
Organizations from each region are recognized annually for their contribution to Special Olympics Kansas.
KC Metro Region
KU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
Southeast Region
Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative Inc.
South Central Region
Premier Food Service
North Central Region
WIBW
West Region
Oasis Travel Center
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 winner John Lair.
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.
