Special Olympics Illinois
Deborah Bobell has extensive experience in coaching and education, primarily within the realm of Special Olympics. Since May 2013, Deborah has served as a Coach with Special Olympics Florida and has been involved with Special Olympics Illinois since August 1982, holding multiple roles including SOAD, Coach, and Parent. Deborah's prior experience includes serving as Treasurer and a Board Member at LLDSS from January 2011 to January 2013, and as Special Olympics Coordinator with Springfield Park District from June 2009 to January 2011. Earlier in their career, Deborah worked as a teacher in various educational settings, including public, parochial, and private schools, from August 1978 to June 1987. Deborah holds a BA in Education, specializing in early childhood development and primary education, from the University of Illinois, earned between 1973 and 1977.
This person is not in any offices
Special Olympics Illinois
Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and over 13,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. Special Olympics began in Illinois with the first games at Soldier Field in July 1968 thanks to the efforts of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her peers. There are now more than 4.5 million athletes in 170 countries. Special Olympics is financially sound with diverse revenue streams, a thorough annual budget process and increasing organizational revenue streams. Special Olympics Illinois does not charge athletes or their families to participate in the program. OUR MISSION Provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. OUR VISION Special Olympics Illinois (SOILL) will be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development. ATHLETE OATH “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”