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A local man has been named the state's top Special Olympics coach
according to organization officials.
Sherman Lyle, who is general manager at the River House Inn and
Restaurant in Grassy Creek, was honored along with 11 other volunteers
who help organize and operate the annual competition.
A statement from N.C. Special Olympics president and CEO Keith
L. Fishburne described Lyle's work with the program. Lyle served
as a soccer coach in Forsyth County at the time.
"Coach, mentor, teacher and friend all describe Special Olympics
Forsyth County Soccer coach Sherman Lyle. He has taught athletes
soccer skills and strategies over the years but also showed them
how to enjoy life and how to enjoy each other in good times and
bad. A former collegiate soccer player, Lyle came to Special Olympics
with no prior experience with the organization but after one season
was hooked and 11 years later is still passionate about the organization
and the athletes. He has recruited many assistant coaches and
even gotten his son involved as a coach. Sherman often goes above
and beyond his coaching duties. He has been known to help athletes
find jobs even employing several at the restaurant he managed.
He has also helped athletes get to doctors appointments and been
with them during emergency room visits. He is more than a coach,
he is a true friend. Lyle is very dedicated to the organization.
He currently is serving on the Special Olympics North Carolina
Board of Directors."
Others recognized were:
Athlete of the Year: Michael White, Boone
Coordinator of the Year: Gail Whitehurst, Elizabeth City
Coach of the Year: Sherman Lyle, Winston-Salem
Volunteer of the Year: Randy Parks, Winston-Salem
Family of the Year: The Burke/Sturgis Family, High Point
Outstanding Organization: Western Guilford High School Soccer
Booster Club, Greensboro
Outstanding Print Media: Wayne County News Argus, Goldsboro
Outstanding Electronic Media: WRGC, 680 AM, Sylva
Outstanding Corporation (less than 100 employees): Watauga Opportunities,
Boone
Outstanding Corporation (more than 100 employees): MAHEC Medical
Group, Asheville
Chairman's Award: Credit Suisse, Research Triangle Park
President's Award: Vangie Woody-Boswell, Concord; Amy Wurst, Kansas
City, KS
Nominations were made by local Special Olympics programs and winners
were selected at the area level. The area-level award winners
were considered for the state-level awards by a selection committee
made up of four individuals: Mary Ann Brown of Davidson County,
Brian Philpot of Wake County, Jonathan Batts of New Hanover County
and Jerry Crisp of Lenoir County, all members of the SONC Athlete
Development Advisory Group.
The President's Award won by Vangie Woody-Boswell of Concord is
for her commitment to arranging for Special Olympics athletes
to attend NASCAR Pole Night in Charlotte for the past 20 years.
Amy Wurst of Kansas City was also honored with the President's
Award for her dedication to SONC as both a lead volunteer for
SONC Summer Games and her willingness to travel and volunteer
at Special Olympics National and World Games. Wurst also served
as a member of SONC Board of Directors. The SONC Chairman's Award
was won by Credit Suisse of Raleigh for their volunteer and financial
support of SONC.
Special Olympics North Carolina offers year-round sports training
and competition for more than 38,000 children and adults with
intellectual disabilities. These athletes inspire greatness through
their success and provide motivation to the thousands of coaches,
sports officials, local program committee members and event organizers
involved in Special Olympics statewide. SONC offers Olympic-type
competition in 20 sports on local and state levels. It is the
second largest Special Olympics program in the North America in
terms of participating athletes. |
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