Special Olympics Texas
Mike Sullivan has a diverse work experience spanning several industries and roles. Mike started their career in education, working as a Department Chair for Health and Physical Education and Offensive Coordinator at various high schools. Mike then transitioned into coaching, where they served as an Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator for a high school football team. Additionally, they volunteered as a scout for a professional football league team. After their coaching career, Mike worked in school administration as an Assistant Principal, Principal, and Executive Assistant to the Superintendent. Mike also held leadership roles in school districts, where they managed budgets, supervised employees, and oversaw various services and programs. Currently, Mike serves as the Statewide Director of Outreach and Families for Special Olympics Texas, where they develop partnerships, collaborates on grant proposals, plans events, and provides mentoring expertise.
Mike Sullivan's education history is as follows:
Mike obtained a Temporary Superintendent Certification in Educational Leadership from Sul Ross State University from 2000 to 2002. Prior to that, they received a Mid-Management Administrator's Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration, General from Our Lady of the Lake University from 1979 to 1987. Mike also pursued a Master's Degree in Health/PE/Counseling from Texas State University from 1976 to 1979. Furthermore, they obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Health/PE/Kinesiology/English from UT Austin and Angelo State University from 1966 to 1971.
In addition to their formal education, Mike Sullivan has obtained various certifications and completed training programs. These include a Division of Emergency Management Multi-Hazard Planning for Schools certification from the Office of the Governor State of Texas in August 2006, an ILT to ILD Moving Texas Forward certification from Educational Service Center 19 in June 2002, and a Certificate of Completion in Site Based Decision Making from Educational Service Center 19 in February 2001, among others.
Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for more than 58,800 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Special Olympics Texas offers 22 sports: Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian, Figure Skating, Flag Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Kayaking, Powerlifting, Roller Skating, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Speed Skating, Table Tennis, Tennis, Triathlon and Volleyball. Special Olympics Texas holds more than 300 competitions annually on area, regional and state levels. Event divisions are based on age, gender and ability level to give athletes an equal chance to win. Special Olympics Texas is divided into four regions with 19 area offices. Athletes may begin training as early as six years old, but must be eight years old to compete. Athletes must be 12 years old to attend statewide competitions. Thanks to the Young Athletes™ Program (YAP), which launched in 2005, children ages two through seven can participate as an “Athlete in Training” in areas where the program is available. Volunteers are the lifeline of the Special Olympics Texas program. More than 36,3750 volunteers in Texas currently dedicate their time to Special Olympics. These volunteers serve as coaches, officials, committee members, competition assistants, speech coaches and much more. There are more than 3,900 volunteer coaches involved in the program. Special Olympics Texas is a registered 501(c)(3), non-profit organization supported by private donations from individuals, corporations and organizations throughout the state. Special Olympics is “the most credible charity in America” according to a survey in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.