Without coaches who dedicate their time to preparing, many athletes would not have the opportunity to compete in the Games. For many coaches, volunteering their time is a family issue.

“Swimming provides an outlet for my son,” said John Kujawa, Area 19 swimming coach.

“He’s not very verbal but today he thanked me for bringing him to the State Games. My son enjoys this, so this is the least I can do.”

Clarence Stevens, assistant powerlifting coach for Area 23, said his son Gary is the reason he started coaching 17 or 18 years ago.

“We do this because of his camaraderie with the other athletes,” he said.

Gary used to compete in track events, Clarence said, but now does powerlifting.

Though many parents don’t coach the athletes, they come to the State Games to show support for their children.

Randy Leslie, whose son Randy Jr., competes for Area 23, said he has been coming to the games for seven years.

Randy Jr. won bronze medals in both the 50m dash and the 100m dash, and also participated in the softball throw.

“He enjoys it and it certainly builds up his self-esteem,” said Randy Sr.

Some coaches became involved with the Special Olympics through people other than their children.

Susan Anderson, Area 20 assistant track coach, said she became involved because the head coach asked her.

“Jackie Macy (Area 20 head track coach) got everyone in our city involved.”

The 2002 Games were her second time participating.

Many volunteers participated in the State Games, as well.

Lisa Longtin, Weidman resident, said she became involved with the State Games through a friend. She spent her first Special Olympics weekend working with athletes at the bocce ball tournament.

“Interacting with the kids is the best part,” she said. “I’m going to come back next year.”

Shannon Sheft, Kalamazoo resident, got involved with the games through a relative of a friend who works for Spartan Stores Inc., the exclusive sponsor of the Summer Games in Michigan. Also a first-time volunteer, she worked the bocce ball games.

“I will definitely come back again,” she said.

Behind the scenes, workers at the Nerve Center spend months preparing for the Games. As she watched the 100m dash, Heidi Alexander said, “This is why we work so hard.”

Alexander said she began working for the Special Olympics several weeks ago.

“I wanted to be involved in an area where there was an inclusive atmosphere, where the work I did would have an impact on a special cause. We’re working really hard, but we’re making (the athletes’) day.

“It’s nice to be able to see the fruits of our labor. Everyone I’ve met is very caring and focused on helping the athletes. They’re all pulling together for the same cause. So many volunteers have been involved for years. You really get hooked.”

All the volunteers and coaches said the work they do is for the athletes, and the participants in the games rely on their coaches and the volunteers to help them during the Games.

Chris Ticknor, Area 20 athlete, said he enjoyed his first year at the Summer Games, where he won a bronze in the 100m dash and participated in the shot-put and the relay.

Andrea Neal, Area 26, said she spent a lot of time preparing for the Games.

Neal won two medals in bocce ball, a gold and a silver. The 2002 Games was the third time she participated in the Summer Games.

Area 20 gold medal-winner Ken Herrington said preparation was very important.

He won his medal in the 100m dash, and also participated in swimming and softball throw.

Larry Paynter, Area 16 powerlifter and dead lifter, said his favorite part of the Summer Games is the people.

“I like meeting lots of friends, and the dance,” he said.

Paynter is a 20-year veteran of the Special Olympics.