This story is sponsored by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.
For more than 40 years, Daviess County Special Olympics has provided sports training, competition, and community for individuals with intellectual disabilities — serving not just Owensboro but the surrounding region as well.
Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968, with the first games held at Soldier Field in Chicago. Today, it’s the largest global advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities, offering 26 sports across 180 countries.
Locally, the Daviess County program currently serves more than 200 athletes, ranging in age from 2 to 85. Sports offerings include aquatics, basketball, cheerleading, track and field, bocce, softball, flag football, bowling, and a Young Athletes program for children ages 2 to 7. Athletes also have access to health screenings, the SOKY Athlete Leadership Program, and unified basketball opportunities at the University of Louisville.
Co-local coordinator Kim Johnson said the program continues to grow, with more than 20 new athletes joining the softball program this year alone, bringing the total to 87 players across six teams.
“We have so many exciting things happening that it’s hard to pick just one,” Johnson said. “We’re hosting the Special Olympics Kentucky Softball Tournament Sept. 5-7, and in October we’ll hold regional events for flag football and bowling.”
Johnson added that the 2024 gold medal flag football team has been nominated for the 2026 National Games in Minnesota, with selections expected to be announced in August. The local program also added bocce this year and has partnered with organizations such as the RiverCity Pickleball Club and the Dust Bowl Committee to create new inclusive opportunities for athletes.
Johnson has been involved with Special Olympics for 36 years in various roles. She is retired from a career as a school administrator with Owensboro Public Schools, but said Special Olympics has always been her passion.
“It is nothing less than inspirational to work with our incredible athletes,” Johnson said. “They are not defined by their intellectual disability — they train and compete at a high level, and it’s exciting to see their confidence grow, their health improve, and their sense of community strengthen.”
Daviess County Special Olympics is run entirely by volunteers and funded through sponsors, donations, and fundraisers.
“We welcome anyone looking for inspiration to come watch an event. I guarantee you’ll want to come back again,” Johnson said.
For more information, email Johnson at kjohnson@soky.org or follow Daviess County Special Olympics on Facebook.
The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.
Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.
To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com.
By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times