Vernon Hills High School Principal Dr. Ellen Cwick, Special Olympics Athlete Steven Katz, and LHS/VHHS Special Olympics Coach Andy Compton gather for a photo following Compton's Receipt of a 2011 Maggiano's Hero Award.

District 128 Special Olympics Coach Andy Compton Receives Hero Award in Recognition of Outstanding Support of Special Olympics

Community High School District 128 Special Olympics Coach Andy Compton was recently recognized as an outstanding supporter of Special Olympics Illinois when he was awarded a 2011 Maggiano’s Hero Award. Compton received the honor at a dinner and presentation held at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Schaumburg on Nov. 30. For the fifth year in a row, Maggiano’s Schaumburg has helped Special Olympics Illinois honor key volunteers and supporters in the Chicagoland area who have made major contributions to Special Olympics.  Coach Compton was one of nine Hero Award recipients for 2011. Chris Boden, a member of the broadcast team at Comcast SportsNet, was the emcee of the event that also featured Special Olympics Athlete-Global Messenger, Garrett Anderson.

Special Olympics Illinois cited the following reasons for presenting the award to Coach Compton: 

• Andy Compton feels strongly about the many opportunities that Special Olympics provides to children and adults.  Because of his efforts, the athletes he coaches in the District 128 program, have benefited tremendously from Special Olympics training and competition.

• Andy has been involved with Special Olympics for eight years.  He has worked hard to grow his program and encourages his athletes to compete to the best of their abilities.  Under Andy’s coaching, the District 128 athletes compete in Snowshoeing, Basketball, Bocce, Track and Field, Bowling and Floor Hockey.

• Andy took  his coaching to the next level by attending trainings which earned him a coaching spot on Team USA in snowshoeing for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games which were held in Boise, Idaho.

• A dedicated supporter, Andy went more than the “extra mile” when he advocated for hosting a Special Olympics District Basketball competition at Vernon Hills High School.

Special Olympics thanked Compton for providing such great leadership to his team and for recognizing the learning experiences athletes carry into school, jobs, home and community. Compton was surprised and honored by receiving the award.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 21,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities and more than  6,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities.  Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact  Special Olympics Illinois at 630-942-5610 or visit the Web site at www.soill.org.