LYNNWOOD – Fueled by hugs and brown-bag lunches, the Everett Angels in the Outfield modeled the Olympic ideal as well as any team or athlete might hope to.
Despite having lost their opening game at the Special Olympics Washington Summer Classic State Softball Tournament on Saturday, the Angels’ spirits were as high as the cirrus clouds above.
They relaxed with their coaches – Jennifer Sires and Justin Huard – in a shady corner of the Meadowdale Athletic Complex munching sandwiches and chips. Defeated, but not beaten.
“They’re still having fun,” Sires said of the Angels, who played tee-ball in the masters division for teams with players over the age of 21.
The tournament drew more than 700 athletes competing on 48 teams. Yet, despite the size of the event, the atmosphere was more friendly than competitive.
“Everyone is so nice and I’m always greeted with hugs,” Sires said of coaching the Angels. “It’s fun for me and fun for the athletes.”
Added Huard: “The players are all my friends. They’re all really appreciative of our time and it’s really rewarding.”
Eat your heart out Larry Brown.
Each of the teams at the Summer Classic qualified for the tournament after competing in one of four regional events.
In addition to separate divisions based on age – juniors (ages 8-15), seniors (16-21) and masters – teams were placed in appropriate competitive skill-level categories to ensure fun for all. Along with the team tournaments, there were individual hitting and throwing skills competitions.
“Everyone has the opportunity to play within his or her level of ability,” tournament administrator Joe Hampson said.
The Special Olympics organization began in 1968 to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities. The first Special Olympics event – at Soldier Field in Chicago – occurred at a time when many with developmental disabilities were kept in institutions and out of the public eye.
That first year, a thousand athletes from 26 states and Canada competed. In the ensuing years, Special Olympics has mushroomed into an international organization with more than a million participants residing in 156 countries.
Sires, a 2000 graduate of Jackson High School and a senior at the University of Washington, coaches the Angels in basketball, bowling, soccer and softball.
An athlete in high school, she first volunteered to coach track four years ago at the invitation of Huard, her boyfriend. An uncle with a developmental disability fueled her interest.
“My uncle’s always been an inspiration to me,” Sires said. “Having a family member with a developmental disability and seeing how he was sometimes treated by society made me want to help.”
Huard, who graduated from Cascade High School in 1999 and the University of Washington in 2003, got his start coaching in Special Olympics eight years ago when older members of the Bruins soccer team invited him to help with a group they were involved with.
“I was privileged growing up and a lot of people aren’t,” Huard said. “I realized I was lucky and capable of giving back.”
The members of the Angels team reside in group or adult family homes. The youngest player is Stacey Pickett, 30. The oldest is Lauri Brown, 52. “They just like getting out of the home and hanging out with us,” Sires said.
Since it can be difficult for parents of older Special Olympians to get out to games, the Angels’ cheering section Saturday consisted of Sires, Huard and Jim Sills, who has participated as a Special Olympian for 34 years.
“Ever since I was little,” said Sills, 46, who helped out by coaching third base.
Sires and Huard say success as a Special Olympics volunteer requires patience and understanding.
“Patience is huge,” Sires said. “They bring humor and feelings like anyone else. Just treat them like people.”
The pair coach Special Olympics nearly every Saturday year-round, with only occasional breaks between sports.
“It’s kind of nice to sleep in on a Saturday,” Sires said. “But, then it’s great to come back out.”
Sires and Huard are typical of Special Olympics coaches, Hampson said.
“The trend seems to be once you get into this, it just engulfs you,” Hampson said with a laugh. “Whenever we get a volunteer, we know we’ll have them for a long time. A lot of these folks have been out here for 20 years or more.”
Other area organizations participating at Meadowdale on Saturday included the Edmonds Rugrats, the Everett RBIs, the Whidbey Sluggers and the Marysville Tomahawks.
Coaches and other volunteers are the key to success for people who just need a little extra help to get in the game.
“It just takes somebody who cares,” said Cheryl Davis, who is coordinator of the Marysville School District Special Olympics Program, which provides sports opportunities for 130 people, including the Tomahawks.
“I started out as a timer at the pool,” said Davis, who has been involved in Special Olympics for 21 years and is certified to coach five sports.
Although she was not coaching Saturday, Davis was on hand for the Tomahawks’ 12-5 victory over the Burien Huskies.
“I can’t let it go without coming out and cheering them on,” Davis said with a laugh. “Once you’re hooked, you’re hooked for life.”
Across the way, the Angels continued to enjoy lunch before their afternoon game.
Lauri Brown was excitedly showing off her new softball glove to teammates and visitors.
“She’s a talker,” Sires said of Brown as she exchanged yet another hug. “I definitely feel happy and rewarded every time I come out.”
Whether it’s the coaches or players who benefit most from the program is difficult to gauge.
“It’s pretty close I think,” Huard said with a smile.
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