Awards

As a non-profit, SOMI relies heavily on the support and dedication of thousands of volunteer coaches, event management teams, and partner organizations throughout the entire state of Michigan. Without their assistance, we simply wouldn't be able to fulfill our mission of assisting and empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities in Michigan. 

That's why every year, Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) takes the time to recognize and honor the incredible efforts of outstanding individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to our organization. It is with deep gratitude and appreciation that we present awards during our highly anticipated Hall of Fame & Award Banquet, a momentous event that takes place every December. Together, we celebrate their extraordinary efforts and the positive impact they have made on the lives of the athletes we serve in Michigan.

The awards are presented in various categories, including:

  • Game Changer Award
  • Hall of Fame Award
  • Inspirational Athlete Award
  • Outstanding Area Coach Award
  • Outstanding Service Award
  • Outstanding Area Volunteer Award
  • Outstanding Family of the Year Award

Know someone who you like to nominate?

2023 Nomination Form

Award nominations will need to be completed by October 1, 2023. Winners will be notified by October 23, 2023 for information regarding our 2023 Hall of Fame & Awards Banquet on December 1, 2023 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For additional information contact somi@somi.org.

Award Descriptions

Gamechanger Award
The Gamechanger Award is a new award to Special Olympics Michigan to celebrate an individual who’s helped the organization thrive during the past few challenging years. This award is to highlight the work of individuals that have advanced our movement forward and elevated how Special Olympics Michigan operates for the foreseeable future. The Gamechanger Award will be announced at The SOMI’s Award Ceremony. The criteria for selecting the Gamechanger Award consists of the following items:

  • The individual has been involved with Special Olympics Michigan over the past 3 years.
  • The individual should have a tangible accomplishment, project, or objective that can be cited in “changing the game” for SOMI.
  • The individual has made SOMI a better place than if they had not been involved.

Hall of Fame Award
The Hall of Fame is an annual award established as the highest tribute paid to persons who have made a significant impact upon the athletes, volunteers, and/or programming of SOMI. When submitting a nomination for this prestigious award, the nominating party should consider the following criteria:

  • The nominee’s service must have made a significant impact upon the athletes, volunteers or programs of Special Olympics Michigan.
  • The nominee must have at least 15 years of experience with Special Olympics Michigan showing multiple levels of involvement by the person in the program, requiring state and at least one other level (i.e. local, area, national or international).
  • A one-page essay, which cites the reasons why the nominee should be considered for the SOMI Hall of Fame, must be included. This should include specific details around the areas where they have volunteered and had an impact.
  • Support letters from coaches, schools, athletes, etc. are encouraged. List the multiple roles the person has served in.
  • The state, national and international involvement needs to be a service such as serving on a task force or committee, or part of the national or international delegation (e.g., local, area, state, national and international games committee or task force, international or national coach, USLC, national or international committee, fundraiser, management team member, event director, volunteer coordinator, assistant area director, etc.).

This award is open to former paid employees of Special Olympics Michigan under this specific criteria: They must not be on the payroll at the time of the award, they must have worked or volunteered for at least 20 years, and they must exhibit impacts well beyond their specific job title within the organization.

Inspirational Athlete Award
The Inspirational Athlete Award is an annual award presented at both the area and state levels. Area Directors may determine the appropriate procedure and time for naming and recognizing their area’s Inspirational Athlete. The state Inspirational Athlete Award will be announced at The SOMI’s Award Ceremony. The criteria for selecting the Inspirational Athlete consists of the following items:

  • The athlete should exemplify the motto, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
  • The athlete should show a strong desire to do their best.
  • The athlete should display good sportsmanship and appreciation for fellow athletes.
  • The athlete should encourage others to compete toward their greatest abilities.
  • The athlete should exhibit a positive attitude toward Special Olympics training and competition.

Outstanding Service Award
Special Olympics Michigan wants to recognize the tremendous contributions made by a variety of individuals, organizations, and businesses to our programs and athletes. Nominations for Outstanding Service Awards may be submitted in any or all of the following categories:

  • Media (radio, television, newspaper)
  • Civic Organization/Agency
  • Business/Corporation
  • Sports (Organization, Athlete)
  • Education (University, School, School District, or Teacher, Administrator, etc.)
  • Family
  • Fundraiser (individual, committee, group, or event)

Outstanding Coach of the Year Award
Special Olympics Michigan recognizes the tremendous amount of time and personal effort that volunteer coaches give to our athletes. To thank them and to make the public more aware of the role that coaches play in our program, one coach from each of the 36 area programs is honored, with one overall Outstanding Coach each year. The following criteria may be used when naming the Area Coach of the Year:

  • Years of coaching at Special Olympics
  • Number of sports coached
  • Number of sports in which coach is certified
  • Number of athletes coached in a typical year
  • Other ways the coach is involved (parent/family activities, fund-raising, leadership, etc.)

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award
Special Olympics Michigan relies on the support of 20,000+ volunteers statewide to make its programs a reality. By honoring a volunteer from each of the 36 local area programs, we hope to recognize the tremendous commitment and contributions made to our program by volunteers. The following criteria may be considered when naming Area Outstanding Volunteers:

  • Years of involvement with Special Olympics.
  • Nomination forms must show that the nominee has made a demonstrated impact upon Special Olympics programming at the local/area level through volunteering in a variety of capacities such as: coach, chaperone, fundraiser, publicist, office help, advisory council, accounting, etc.

Family of the Year Award
This award is for the family that has made and continues to make a unique and lasting contribution to our program and athletes. The following criteria may be considered when naming Family of the Year:

  • Years of involvement with Special Olympics
  • This family has made SOMI a better place than if they had not been involved.
  • Nomination forms must show that the nominee has made a demonstrated impact upon Special Olympics programming at the local/area level through volunteering in a variety of capacities such as: coach, chaperone, fundraiser, publicist, office help, advisory council, accounting, etc.