Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services
When teams take the floor next Saturday (Feb. 22) for the Special Olympics Kansas West Region Cheerleading and Basketball Tournament at Great Bend High School’s Panther Activity Center, there will be two distinguished hometown coaches in their midst. Storm Team’s Amanda Hammond and Carole Edwardson were recognized in Topeka last December for their stellar work with the area’s Special Olympics team.
Hammond was named Special Olympics Kansas “Coach of The Year.” Edwardson earned the West Region’s “Volunteer of the Year” award and she also took home a “Legacy” award for her longstanding effort with Storm Team.
Special Olympics Kansas awards were presented during the Champion’s Luncheon at the enclosed Garfield Shelter in Topeka on Dec. 4. Hammond attended the event and received her award from Special Olympics Kansas President John Lair. In attendance to watch Hammond receive her award were her dad, Eric, and her sister, Anna. The event was a culmination that began 15 years earlier, starting with cheer coaching and evolving into coaching basketball and track and field.
“It was an honor to attend the luncheon with my family and receive the award,” explained, Hammond. “Coming from no experience to winning this award, we laughed about it, actually. I played sports a little bit in middle school; I wasn’t the star athlete; I did it for the social aspect. Learning to coach from the basic level allowed me to learn it and then break it down so that I could explain it better to my athletes. I am proud to win the award, but honestly, I’m even more proud that Carole won her awards.”
The modest Edwardson was humbled when she learned about her recognition, immediately pointing out so many other people that have been just as involved with Special Olympics over the quarter-century that she has volunteered and coached. She opted to receive her award upon Hammond’s return from Topeka.
Edwardson got involved in Storm Special Olympics more than 25 years ago when her son, David, joined the program. She took on many roles for the organization over the decades, including serving as the teams Local Program Coordinator for many years. She relinquished that lead role to Hammond nearly two years ago, but she continues to volunteer during each respective sports season, which covers cheer and basketball, track and field, and bowling. She also serves on the Storm Special Olympics Board, along with Hammond.
It is fitting that the tandem has been recognized with awards during the same time period. The two are closely linked to the success of Storm Team’s past and future. Edwardson kept the team going through several lean years, serving most of those years as LPC. Hammond helped where needed over her years with the team and readily took the LPC baton from Edwardson when the time came. Both continue to advocate for Storm Special Olympics and are always on the lookout to recruit quality coaches to help lead the team far into the future.
“Involvement with Special Olympics takes work, but the outcome is so rewarding,” said Hammond. “In the hustle of the day when you are putting out fires, to be able to connect with your athletes at a different level, because you are linked together with a common goal, it brings you back to what the purpose is for what we do. It grounds you. I see the improvement with the athletes during every practice, every game and every season. It’s a journey that is about so much more than just competing to win. I’m honored to be a part of their growth and experience.”