Special to IFN
Bobbi Williams, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist for the City of Statesville Recreation & Parks Department, has been named the 2025 Special Olympics North Carolina Local Coordinator of the Year.
This award recognizes Williams’ outstanding leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the Special Olympics program in Iredell County.
“Bobbi’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment for all athletes is truly inspiring,” said Richard Griggs, director of Recreation & Parks of the City of Statesville. “Her passion for the mission of Special Olympics is evident in everything she does, and this well-deserved recognition highlights her exceptional leadership.”
Williams, who has been involved with Special Olympics for over two decades as the mother of a Special Olympics athlete, has been a driving force in the growth and expansion of the local program. Since becoming the local coordinator for Special Olympics Iredell County in 2022, she has worked tirelessly to enhance the opportunities available for local athletes.
Under her leadership, the program has expanded beyond traditional sports to include tennis, flag football, powerlifting, softball, and volleyball, enriching the experience for athletes in Iredell County. She also launched a summer program, featuring activities like kickball, off-season bocce, chair volleyball, and low-impact fitness classes.
Williams has also strengthened the partnership with the Iredell-Statesville School System by increasing school participation in the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program. This initiative promotes acceptance and inclusion, helping to create communities where all young people are agents of change and active participants in Special Olympics.
In addition to program development, Williams has introduced several new fundraising events, leveraging community support ensuring the sustainability and continued growth of Special Olympics Iredell County.
“I was deeply honored—and truly surprised—to receive the Special Olympics North Carolina Coordinator of the Year award,” Williams said. “This recognition means so much, but honestly the recognition belongs to a much larger team. I’m incredibly fortunate to work with amazing athletes of Special Olympics Iredell County whose determination and joy inspire me every day. This program would not be what it is without our dedicated coaches, committed parents, generous volunteers, and the unwavering support of our local community. Their hard work, passion, and belief in inclusion have allowed our program to grow and flourish.
“I’m also profoundly grateful to my family, who support me every step of the way,” she added. “At the heart of it all, I feel lucky just to play a small role in something so meaningful.”
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For more information about Special Olympics Iredell County and upcoming events, visit https://www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsIredellCounty