Three honored for Special Olympics accomplishments

The Resource Center has a long history with Special Olympics, and three members of our TRC family recently were honored for their efforts with Special Olympics.

Kevin Anderson, our Assistant Director of Employment and Community-Based Services, was named Coach of the Year by Special Olym­pics New York. Kevin received his award during Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics NY Winter Games, which took place in Syracuse. He was chosen from among nine coaches, representing differ­ent areas of the State, who were nominated for the honor.

In announcing the Coach of the Year, Special Olympics NY President and Chief Executive Officer Stacey Hengster­man said of Special Olympics coaches, “They’re the ones who work with the athletes on a daily basis, bringing you to competitions, making sure that you’re not just there to compete but to get to your personal best.”

She noted that Kevin has been coaching athletes at the local, regional and national levels in bocce, golf and swim­ming for more than 10 years. He also has directed events, and he serves on the state-wide Coaches Committee.

As he came forward to receive his award, Kevin was showered with congratulatory shouts from the audience. “This has been a great journey. I love all of you guys. Thank you very much,” he said, tapping his right hand over his heart. “It means the world to me.”

We congratulate Kevin on his award and thank him for being an inspiration to athletes and fellow coaches. Click here to watch the video of Kevin receiving his award. The Coach of the Year presen­tation begins at about the 23:45 mark.

Kevin Anderson accepts his Coach of the Year Award from Stacey Hengsterman of Special Olympics NY.

Meanwhile, an athlete whom Kevin coaches in bocce will be competing on a world stage in a different sport.

Kyle Eddy, a self-advocate who receives supports from The Resource Center, was chosen to represent the United State in snowshoeing at the Special Olympics World Games next year in Italy.  An accomplished athlete in several sports, Kyle represented New York State at the Spe­cial Olympics USA Games in Seattle in 2018, earning a silver medal in bocce.

“Kyle is a hard worker, a master snowshoer and an ex­traordinary teammate,” Casey Vattimo, Senior Vice President of External Relations for Special Olympics NY, said at the cer­emony announcing Kyle’s selection. “We are so proud to have him represent New York and Team USA at the 2025 Special Olympics World Games.”

Pictured with Kyle are, from left, his father, Larry; his mother, Donna, who is a Supervisor at TRC’s Day Program at the Michael J. Raymond Center; and his brother, Mitchell.

Kyle has been practicing his snowshoeing when there’s been enough snow. His mother, Donna, who is a Day Services Supervisor at TRC, said Kyle will work with the New York State team in March in Syracuse. She said that if there isn’t enough snow, then the team members will practice on sand.

Congratulations, Kyle! To read more, click here to be taken to an article in The Post-Journal.

Kyle Eddy holds a boarding pass for his flight to Italy for the 2025 Special Olympics World Games. Pictured with him at the ceremony announcing his selection to Team USA are his father, Larry; his mother, Donna; and his brother, Mitchell.

Finally, we’re proud to share the news that the late Daniel Bryner recently was inducted into the Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame. He is the first Special Olympian to be enshrined in the Hall.

Dan competed in a variety of sports when he was part of The Resource Center, earning more than 200 medals in Special Olympics competition at the local, regional, state, national, and international levels. At the 1995 World Games, he won a gold medal and two silver medals in roller skating. Dan also claimed a bronze medal in softball at the 1983 World Games and a silver medal in aquatics at the 1987 World Games. He also was a member of The Resource Center’s softball team that won the gold medal at the 1984 New York State Special Olympics Games. (Dan’s parents, Charles and Helen, were the team’s managers.)

We are grateful to the Chautauqua County Hall of Fame for recognizing Dan as worthy of inclusion in the Hall. We hope he will be the first of many local Special Olympians who will be enshrined in the Hall in recognition of their athletic accomplishments.

Click here to read more about Dan. Click here to watch a video of Dan’s brother, Michael, speaking at the induction ceremony.

Dan Bryner displays the medals he won at the 1995 World Games.