Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 Special Olympics Kentucky Athlete and Coach of the Year Awards. The Athlete and Coach of the Year Awards are the highest awards Special Olympics Kentucky presents during the year and go to the athlete and coach who best exemplify the spirit of Special Olympics throughout the year.

Nominations can come from anyone — coaches, athletes, local coordinators, parents or any other person associated with Special Olympics programs. Nominations for both awards are due no later than Thursday, October 31, 2019.

2019 Athlete of the Year Nomination Form

2019 Coach of the Year Nomination Form

The Awards will be presented during the dance at the 2019 State Bowling Tournament in Louisville. The Athlete of the Year will receive the honor of lighting the cauldron at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2020 Special Olympics Kentucky State Summer Games and the Coach of the Year will have the honor of declaring the Games open at the end of the Opening Ceremonies.

Jennifer Hamilton of Owensboro was named the Athlete of the Year in 2018 and Leigh Toby of Murray was the Coach of the Year.

Athlete of the Year Honorees

2007 – Lee Dockins
2008 – Tonya Cornett
2009 – Grant Gupton
2010 – Ryan Barts & Danielle Blakeney
2011 – Oana Warren
2012 – Jonathan Lynn
2013 – Jerhmoll Carter
2014 – Tee Salinas
2015 -Tommy Parson
2017 – Dallas Derringer
2018 – Jennifer Hamilton

Coach of the Year Honorees

2007 – Jan Krekel
2008 – David Taylor
2009 – Bob Amos
2010 – Mary Fehrenbach
2011 – Lynn Ware
2012 – Dennis Gaines
2013 – Laura Miller
2014 – Jeff Johnson
2015 – Janet Ballinger
2017 – Michael Ghant
2018 – Leigh Toby