AUTREY NAMED 2008 SPIRIT OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS INDIANA COACH OF THE YEAR

 (Left to Right:  Katie Mortensen, Area 8 Director, Tracy Autrey, Roberta Manns, Special Olympics Coordinator-Boone County)

Lebanon, IN ~ During a special recognition dinner on Friday, February 8, Tracy Autrey, long-time volunteer and coach for Special Olympics Boone County, was named as the Special Olympics Indiana 2008 Spirit of Special Olympics Coach of the Year. Autrey was named the Area 8 Coach of the Year in September 2007. This recognition led to her nomination for the state award along with coaches from around the state.

 In Autrey’s nomination letter, Roberta Manns, county coordinator for SOBC, stated, “Tracy works very hard to ensure that her teams learn the concepts of each sport and develops a repartee with each player that allows them to be comfortable in the team setting along with learning the true fundamentals of each sport. She is a strong advocate of good sportsmanship and fairness during practices and competitions and does not hesitate to enforce the athlete’s code of conduct, if necessary. She values input from her assistant coaches and volunteers and receives the utmost respect from her players, their families and other volunteers.”

 Additionally, Manns reported that during the softball season, a coach from an opposing team approached her and said (talking about Autrey), “She’s what Special Olympics is all about!” The two coaches had discussed some of the struggles they each faced as coaches and obstacles that coaches and players face. Manns said, “This coach told me that after talking with Tracy, his spirit and determination was renewed and he planned to continue on with his work in Special Olympics. I do not feel a coach could be paid any higher praise than that of a peer.”

 Autrey has served as an integral member of Special Olympics Boone County as a volunteer, governing committee member in various capacities, including county coordinator and assistant county coordinator, as well as coach. She has coached the SOBC Bomber softball team for over 10 years along with the basketball team. She also volunteers with SOBC’s other sports programs and is a member of the golf outing fundraising committee.

 Upon receiving her Coach of the Year award, Autrey thanked the SOBC family of coaches, volunteers, athletes and families for their participation and support. She also thanked the Special Olympics Indiana staff for their continued support, and acknowledged that without the cooperation and teamwork with other programs, such as the Indy Parks program, Special Olympics Boone County would not be able to provide the sports programs it does for the athletes of our community.

 The Spirit of Special Olympics awards program is an annual recognition program for athletes, volunteers, coaches and families who have demonstrated outstanding support of the Special Olympics Indiana program. Each local program is encouraged to nominate individuals who have exemplified the Special Olympics spirit of skills, courage, sharing and joy, and have demonstrated an overall commitment to the program.

 This is the first year a Boone County participant has received this statewide award.

(Left To Right:  Brad Lanpher, Athlete, Tracy Autrey, Becky Oaks, Athlete)