Each October, National Coaches Day celebrates volunteer coaches who dedicate their time to mentoring athletes and enriching our communities. We’d like to recognize the incredible dedication and impact of Special Olympics Northern California coaches who volunteer their time and impact the lives of athletes, on and off the field.
Volunteer coaches play a vital role in instilling confidence in athletes, teaching skills and building more unified communities.
What’s it really like to volunteer as a coach for Special Olympics NorCal? Athlete leader Devon sat down with Chris Gonzales, our 2023-2024 Coach of the Year who’s been volunteering in Santa Clara County for eight years, to ask about his favorite coaching experiences and what makes him come back year after year. Here’s what Chris has learned from nearly a decade of volunteer coaching.
5 Questions with Volunteer Coach Chris Gonzales
Q: How Long Have You Been Involved in Special Olympics?
I started out eight years ago with just a few sports and then suddenly, I got wrapped into more. I’ve become addicted to coaching with Special Olympics Northern California, so I do it almost all year round. Honestly when I do take some downtime over the winter, I miss it.
Q: What Makes You Come Back Year After Year?
It’s got to be the athletes and the coaches! There’s such a great camaraderie between us. Once you start to get familiar with the athletes you get passionate about being able to teach them how to be better athletes, and to do better for themselves. Just being around the athletes and seeing the excitement they bring to everything inspires me.
Q: Any Favorite Memories or Moments That Stand Out?
I have so many! Special Olympics athletes are exciting to watch. For example, some of our track & field athletes love to cheer themselves on as they run. It’s just the sweetest thing. I love watching them finish a race, and they just turn around and are so proud of themselves. And we are so proud of them for all the work they’ve put into their sport. It’s just beautiful.
Ultimately what stands out most is whenever you see an athlete achieve something they haven’t achieved before!
Q: What Would You Tell Someone Interested in Becoming a Volunteer Coach for this Organization?
Just try it! It’s so addicting. When I started, I did track & field because that was my experience. But then you start to build a relationship with the coaches and athletes, and it becomes a giant family. Once you start doing one, you tend to start doing more because you realize how fulfilling it is.
Q: What Does Special Mean to You?
Special means community. Special Olympics has built this beautiful community, across counties, where you can be friends forever. It just keeps bringing you back time and time again to be with the coaches and to be with the athletes.
To watch the full interview with Chris Gonzales, visit our YouTube channel, The Special Report
Interested in Being a Volunteer Coach for Special Olympics?
Special Olympics Northern California coaches bring enthusiasm, commitment and a positive attitude to each practice, event and competition. They enrich the lives of athletes in many life-changing ways and instill skills and confidence that athletes can use to succeed in school, get a job and find confidence in social situations and in life.
Volunteer coaches also get a lot in return. They build meaningful relationships with athletes and their families and become inspired by their perseverance in the face of numerous obstacles. By teaching and learning from athletes, coaches gain a new perspective in their own lives that helps to create more unified communities.
Want to hear what other coaches have to say? Check out this Coaches recruitment video