Butler County Special Olympics, which has been in existence for approximately 30 years, has more than 200 athletes, ages 8 through adults, who compete in local and state games, but soccer is not yet one of their sports in Butler County. Their roster includes basketball, bowling and swimming, said Mary Swagler, who coordinates the Special Olympics programs for Butler County.
“There are 36 official sports … we have quite an active soccer program in the northern part of the state. It hasn’t been real active down here. I think the reason is that we have baseball and softball programs that run in the summertime, which is kind of the same time frame that soccer runs in this area,” she said.
“We’ve certainly had some people who have been interested in soccer through the years, and I think that this might be something that can spark some interest, and hopefully become pretty competitive … this is something that will be really new for Butler County,” said Swagler. Funds raised cover registration fees, equipment, uniforms, gym rentals and other items.
This also works as a way for MASC to give back to the community, rather than through the economic impact of the extra dollars multiple families bring into the area every spring. Phillips said, “I just felt that it would be something that we could turn around and get a little bit more into the community … this is something going to people on a more personal level.”
Eddie Hertsenberg, a soccer coach that participates in the MASC, has his own charitable foundation, 2 TouchLiNes, that organized an event that raised $1,300 for the Butler County Special Olympics, he said.
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