About Kathy
Hometown: Olathe, KS
Team: JCPRD Rangers
Age: 67
Special Olympics Kansas Coach for: 35 Years
USA Games Sport: Aquatics Coach
Other SOKS Sports: Coach for Bocce and Softball
How has Special Olympics changed your life?
"My Special Olympics athletes have taught me how to enjoy each moment in life – not to stress the small stuff and to count my blessings in life and relationships. They have also influenced my own competitive play – to strive for the win, but to enjoy the ride in doing so. "
What does attending USA Games mean to you?
"I enjoy coaching my SO athletes – helping them rise to the occasion, by striving to do their very best in the preparation (practice) and competition. I also enjoy providing tools to help them meet these challenges (relaxation techniques, nutrition and fitness support, sportsmanship, team building) that can be carried forward for an active lifestyle for a lifetime."
What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
"I used to work as a meat cutter in a small grocery store. I have two brothers and one sister and lots of nieces and nephews. My mother was a minister and my father was an airplane mechanic for TWA. I flew around the world during the summer between my junior and senior year in high school. I studied in Liverpool, England during an interterm in college. "
Special Honors:
High School Senior Athlete of the Year, SO Coach of the Year, Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance awards (Teacher of the Year, Honor Award – also received at the Central District level)