“This is one place where all shoes fit differently,” said Doug Hanna–and for him, that’s exactly what makes Special Olympics Tennessee such a transformative environment.
When Hanna first joined the Buddy Ball program as a mentor, he soon learned that mentorship isn’t about how well you can teach but more about how deeply you can impact. It’s about showing up and adapting to help athletes thrive within their leadership journey. It's certainly made an impact on his son, Benjamin, a Special Olympics athlete.
That supportive spirit was on full display at Leadership University, a weekend-long program where athletes and mentors came together to grow as leaders. The event emphasized the power of inclusive leadership, with mentors learning how to tailor their support styles to each athlete’s unique strengths, goals, and personality.
Hannah shared that as a mentor, “you learn just as much from them as they do from you.”
In May, Hanna received the Civitan International Servants Heart Award from the Clarksville Civitan Club, honoring him for his dedication to supporting the community through mentoring, leadership and coaching.
At Special Olympics Tennessee, mentorship isn’t a moment–it’s a movement. Whether it’s encouraging an athlete before a big performance or being there to help them lead amongst their teammates, mentors help bridge confidence and opportunity for the athletes.
Getting involved is simple. Many mentors begin by volunteering at local events, getting a sense of the special atmosphere of unconditional support, and finding themselves inspired to stay. To join a movement where your invested time ripples so much farther than just the game, click here!
