Easterdays Receive 2024 Schmidt Award

Deb and Tom Easterday are the Dennis Schmidt Impact Award recipients for 2024.

Selected each year by the president and CEO of Special Olympics Indiana, the award recognizes individuals who exemplify the Spirit of Special Olympics and who lift athletes through their involvement at the state and grassroots level.

The Boone County couple have been coaches, chaperones, volunteers and Unified partners for two decades. Deb also currently is a member of the Special Olympics Indiana Board of Directors.

“During our end-of-the-year campaign to recruit new coaches, I could not think of a better couple to recognize than Deb and Tom Easterday,” Special Olympics Indiana President and CEO Jeff Mohler said. “They have served the organization at all levels. While they initially may have become involved to provide sports and fitness opportunities to their son, Matthew, their service extends to all athletes in their local program. They serve all athletes with dignity, respect, enthusiasm and dedication. They are the epitome of great coaches.”

The award is named for Special Olympics Indiana’s first president, who served as its first fulltime executive director from 1974 to 2002, building the foundation for the program it has become today.