Spirit of Special Olympics Coach of the Year 2016 is Heidi Bowman

Special Olympics Indiana is pleased to announce Heidi Bowman as the 2016 “Spirit of Special Olympics” Coach of the Year.  Heidi is a proud member of the Jay County Program.

Coach, volunteer, fan, and county coordinator are merely some of the titles held by Heidi.  She has been actively involved for over 20 years.  Her coaching duties have included basketball, bowling, and track & field.  If not coaching, she is volunteering for the other sports offered by Jay County.

Heidi places her heart and soul into the program.  She goes the “extra mile” to make sure that the athletes have everything they need to complete.  If an athlete needs a ride to the doctor for a sports physical, Heidi makes it happen.  If an athlete needs lunch money, Heidi buys the lunch.  If an athlete or volunteer needs someone to talk to, Heidi is there to listen.

Having done so much to promote Special Olympics within the local community, Heidi is the face of the Jay County Program.  She goes to service organizations and businesses to speak on behalf of Special Olympics raising valuable funds; but, more importantly, raising awareness about persons with intellectual disabilities.

Heidi has a heart of gold.  She spends her own money to insure that the local program continues to offer the athletes an opportunity to play sports.  The band “Blood, Sweat, and Tears” can move over, because Heidi gives a new meaning to “blood, sweat and tears”.  She gives everything she has to make Jay County a successful program.

Even after a recent surgery, Heidi wanted to go to Summer Games in Terre Haute to coach her track & field team.  Luckily, several other volunteers convinced her to rest and recover.  She sweats in the hot sun for hours at golf outings or at outdoor practices.  She cries tears of joy to celebrate the accomplishments of the athletes.  But soon those tears becomes a smile.

Congratulations to Heidi Bowman, our 2016 “Spirit of Special Olympics” Coach of the Year.