Longtime Ft. Mitchell Athlete Receives Honor in Second Year of the Award

Longtime Special Olympics athlete and Athlete Ambassador Luke Rutterer of Ft. Mitchell has been recognized as the 2025 Pinnacle Positive Impact Award. The presentation was made in October following the Athlete Leadership Program graduation ceremony.

Rutterer has been a Special Olympics athlete for more than 30 years, competing in golf, soccer, flag football, basketball, bowling and bocce. He competed at the 2016 Special Olympics North America National Invitational Golf Tournament.

While Rutterer is officially a 2019 graduate of the Athlete Leadership Program, he has served as a Global Messenger and a leader on the local and statewide level for much longer. He has often represented Special Olympics Kentucky at events like the Texas Roadhouse Armadillo Classic and Unified Cornhole with Kona Ice. He also volunteers at many Special Olympics Kentucky events, including last year’s State Summer Games.

“When you think of this athlete, you think of someone who radiates positivity, is ready to help at the drop of a hat, they are encouraging, they are kind, they practice great sportsmanship, they are reliable and have great communication skills,” fellow Athlete Ambassador Katie Williams said while announcing the award.

When not busy with Special Olympics activities, Rutterer stays busy holding three jobs, including at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Kremer’s Market and Car-Part.

The Pinnacle Positive Impact Award was developed in conjunction with Athlete Leadership -Program presenting sponsor Pinnacle Financial Services to honor graduates of the Athlete Leadership Program who, through their leadership and service, makes a positive impact on our program. To qualify for the award, an Athlete Leader has to have been active for at least two years, must engage with all levels of program stakeholders with respect, professionalism and passion, understands and embrace their role as a leader, demonstrates leadership while providing positive input and energy at all levels of their involvement in Special Olympics, provide encouragement and support to their fellow athletes to help them be successful, have made a positive impact on the SOKY program (at any level) and show good sportsmanship.

For more information about the Pinnacle Positive Impact Award contact Brennan Smith at 502-695-8222 or bsmith@soky.org.