A single letter changed everything. Zach opened it with his brother by his side and burst into tears—Davis County’s Special Olympics flag football team was headed to the USA Games in Minneapolis. From that moment, our “Road to Minneapolis” took shape, fueled by family, grit, and a community that shows up.
We dive into the surge of Special Olympics energy in Owensboro—seven basketball teams on Sundays, a thriving flag football program that Zach helped start, and a culture where athletes lead. Coach Kim Johnson shares how intensity and care can coexist, the way clear expectations and real trust push players to master plays, and how a single practice interception sparked joy on both sidelines. We unpack what inclusion actually looks like: unified trips to Purdue, Notre Dame, Maryland, and Wisconsin; Louisville and Kentucky students teaming with Special Olympics athletes; and a leadership pipeline that turns quiet voices into confident advocates.
The heart of this story is ownership. Athletes recruit teammates, coordinate events, and protect the standard. Partners like Kentucky Wesleyan, Independence Bank, and Visit Owensboro amplify the effort with facilities and volunteers, proving how a small city powers big dreams. We also talk costs and commitments—the team needs to raise $25,000 to make sure money doesn’t bench an athlete poised for the national stage—plus what game days feel like at Owensboro Middle School: clean routes, honest sportsmanship, and noise in all the best ways.
If you’ve ever wondered what inclusion can accomplish when athletes lead and a community stands behind them, this is your playbook. Ride with us on the Road to Minneapolis, share it with someone who loves sports with heart, and help spread the word so every athlete gets to take the field. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us your favorite moment from the episode—then come see a game and feel the energy for yourself.
Daviess County Special Olympics (KY)
Kim Johnson (Area 2 Director / Daviess County contact): kjohnson@soky.org
| 270-314-7621
Special Olympics Kentucky (official site + local contact list):
Special Olympics Kentucky+1
Facebook Groups (Daviess County Special Olympics / Area 2):
Facebook+1
Road to Minneapolis (Nationals fundraising): Details coming soon.
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It's been a great episode and I hope you share this with all your Owensboro friends! Thanks for the support and again, if you have questions or guests ideas, send a text!
