Recognition & Visibility
SOCT recognizes individuals and organizations who have committed their time and resources to supporting our mission. From Hall of Fame inductees to President's Award recipients, we are grateful for their contributions throughout the years.
*The 2022 Bozzuto Family Award was presented to the the Baker Family.
2023 Hall of Fame Honorees
Bozzuto Family Award
William Bergeron and Mariel Bergeron Grace
Presented to a family who, through volunteer and philanthropic support, has a made a significant impact on the organization.
Coach of the Year Award
Kevin Grimes
Community Leadership Award
The Connecticut Elks Association
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award
Brandon Knight
Presented to the Special Olympics athlete who best exemplifies the spirit of Special Olympics above and beyond the requirements of a Spirit of Life winner.
Eunice Murtha Award
Chris and Catherine Kortlandt
This award is presented to the individual or family who through philanthropic means has made a significant impact on the organization.
Outstanding Local Program Award
Special Olympics West Hartford
Presented to the Local Program that exemplifies the true meaning of Special Olympics.
Sheila Schmidt Award
Tom and LuAnn Krywinski
Presented to the volunteer who, through unselfish efforts, has made a significant impact on the entire organization.
Susan Saint James Award
Robert "Beau" Doherty
This award is presented an individual whose leadership skills have brought about positive changes to the organization.
Golisano Health Leadership Award
MD23 Connecticut Lions
Norman Hanenbaum Lifetime Service Award
Barry and Joyce Baiardi & Don and Deborah Conklin
Spirit of Life Awards for Exceptional Athletes
David Strick, Paul Kleva, Andrew McMillian, Bethel School District
Unsung Hero Awards for Exceptional Volunteers
Officer Erin Connole, Robin Sorey, Mike Law, Rose Doolittle, George Millerd
Previous Hall of Fame Honorees
Bozzuto Family Award
- The Violano Family (Ria, Mark, Matt, Nick & Alix)
Coach of the Year Award
- Francis LaPointe
Community Leadership
- WWE
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award
- Justin Mazza
Eunice Murtha Award
- The Elmore Family (Michael, Jennifer, Ellie & Landon)
Outstanding Local Program
- Special Olympics Windsor Locks
Sheila Schmidt Award
- Nancy Hemingway
Susan Saint James Award
- Dr. Craig Edmondson
Bozzuto Family Award
- The Kopcso Family (Jim, Marianna, Kevin, Tom & Brian)
Coach of the Year Award
- Derrick Ford
Community Leadership
- NBC Connecticut
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award
- Sharon Rivera
Eunice Murtha Award
- Shane Fitzsimons
Outstanding Local Program
- Special Olympics Oxford
Sheila Schmidt Award
- Joseph Dennin
Susan Saint James Award
- Catherine Kortlandt
Bozzuto Family Award
- The Dilger Family (Ray, Connie, Carmen, Phyliss & Gina)
Coach of the Year Award
- Louis Banda
Community Leadership
- TD Bank
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award
- Alison Smith
Eunice Murtha Award
- Susan Joy Gabrielson
Sheila Schmidt Award
- Nicholas Foligno
Susan Saint James Award
- Dr. Susan Danberg
Bozzuto Family Award
- The Steel Family (Paul, Doreen, Anna & Simone)
Coach of the Year Award
- Charlene Luzefski
Community Leadership
- Marcus Communications
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award
- Raymond L. Hadden III
Eunice Murtha Award
- The William H. Pitt Foundation, Inc.
Sheila Schmidt Award
- Burdeen Camp
Susan Saint James Award
- John Riccardi
Bozzuto Family Award
- The Stack Family
Coach of the Year Award
- Joseph "Red" LeBouthillier
Community Leadership
- Whelen Engineering
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award
- Angie D'Amico
Eunice Murtha Award
- Barbara Thomason
Sheila Schmidt Award
- Joseph McGrail
Susan Saint James Award
- Kevin Martinez
Bozzuto Family Award
- The Cohen Family
Coach of the Year Award
- Barbara Hedden
Community Leadership
- Connecticut Elks Association
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award
- Joe Bartolucci
Eunice Murtha Award
- The Keenoy Family
Sheila Schmidt Award
- Christopher Capobianco
Susan Saint James Award
- Rick Allen
Bozzuto Family Award
- The Lopriore Family
Coach of the Year Award
- Lawrence Doherty, Jr.
Community Leadership
- IBM Corporation
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award
- David Dennin
Eunice Murtha Award
- Matt Smith
Sheila Schmidt Award
- George Ford (posthumously)
Susan Saint James Award
- Michael Bozzuto
Bozzuto Family Award
- The Franson Family
Coach of the Year Award
- Carol Kirkwood
Community Leadership
- Willimantic Lions Club
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award
- Stanley Barniski
Eunice Murtha Award
- A.H. Gildersleeve
Sheila Schmidt Award
- Joseph Carlone
Susan Saint James Award
- Dave Cassano
2010
Susan Saint James Award - Leadership
- Commissioner Peter O'Meara
Community Leadership
- Bob's Stores
Bozzuto Family Award - Family
- The Emery Family
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award - Athlete
- Heather Campbell
Eunice Murtha Award - Philanthropists
- Peter & Wendy Wright
Sheila Schmidt Award - Volunteer
- Bob Gallipeau
Lew Perkins Coach
- Randy Lee
NWR Award
- Stacey Orlowski (Outstanding Coach)
SWR Award
- 95.9 The Fox (Outstanding Business)
ER Award
- Fran Cappuccio (Outstanding Volunteer)
2009
Susan Saint James Award - Leadership
- Roger Burns
Community Leadership
- ESPN
Bozzuto Family Award - Family
- The Kimmel Family
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award - Athlete
- Raishaun Holloway
Eunice Murtha Award - Philanthropists
- Karen Kalenauskas
Sheila Schmidt Award - Volunteer
- Florence Chittenden
2008
Susan Saint James Award - Leadership
- Attorney General Richard Blumenthal
Community Leadership
- Pitney Bowes
Bozzuto Family Award - Family
- Feidts Family
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award - Athlete
- Ann Marie Goehring
Eunice Murtha Award - Philanthropists
- Jack & Nancy Katz
Sheila Schmidt Award - Volunteer
- Joyce Baiardi
Lew Perkins Coach
- Pete Wagner
2007
Susan Saint James Award - Leadership
- James H. Van Hoof
Community Leadership
- State of CT Judicial Branch Community Service Power Teams
Bozzuto Family Award - Family
- Levesque Fmaily (Sue & David)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award - Athlete
- Brian Drexler
Eunice Murtha Award - Philanthropists
- David & Frankie Cassano
Sheila Schmidt Award - Volunteer
- Karen VanderHorst
Lew Perkins Coach
- Jeffrey Humphrey
NWR Award
- Outstanding Business - Farmington Stavings Bank
SWR Award
- Outstanding Volunteer - Marion Gulash
ER Award
- Outstanding Coach - Kirk Owen
2006
Susan Saint James Award - Leadership
- Bruce Kirchner
Community Leadership
- The Guardian
Bozzuto Family Award - Family
- The Kish Family
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award - Athlete
- Joanne Sorel
Eunice Murtha Award - Philanthropists
- Mark Madoff
Sheila Schmidt Award - Volunteer
- Fran Vitarelli
Lew Perkins Coach
- Yvonne & Kevin Grimes
2005
Susan Saint James Award - Leadership
- Stephen Smith
Community Leadership
- ALSTOM Power Inc.
Bozzuto Family Award - Family
- Sumislaski Family
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award - Athlete
- James Goldsmith
Eunice Murtha Award - Philanthropists
- William Bucknall
Sheila Schmidt Award - Volunteer
- Rocco Calabrese
Lew Perkins Coach
- Nick Ciccarelli
2004
Susan Saint James Award - Leadership
- Matthew Kissner
Community Leadership
- General Electric
Bozzuto Family Award - Family
- Hennes Family
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award - Athlete
- Jaye Cotter
Eunice Murtha Award - Philanthropists
- Frank Casapulla
Sheila Schmidt Award - Volunteer
- Steve Cowles
Lew Perkins Coach
- Sue & Bill Armitage
- Donna Easter
Outstanding Local Program
- Kerry Sullivan
- Jo Ann Hayes
- Alex Buettiker
- Louis Riccio
- Geri White
NWR Award
- Outstanding Small Business - First Student Inc.
SWR Award
- Outstanding Family - Jim & Betty Hassack & Family
ER Award
- Outstanding Volunteer - Dr. Charles Wynn
2003
Susan Saint James Award - Leadership
- Mike Lupica
Community Leadership
- Manshantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
- Foxwoods Resort/Casino
Bozzuto Family Award - Family
- Kalcznski Family
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award - Athlete
- Jamie Jerrell
Eunice Murtha Award - Philanthropists
- Rob Bartlett
Sheila Schmidt Award - Volunteer
- Paula Jessuck
- Joyce Stille
Family (Area)
- Albers (Tolland)
- Baribeau (Northeast Area)
Volunteer (Area)
- Mark Kurimai (SWR)
- Marc Anderson (New Haven area)
Local Program (Area)
- Special Olympics Newington (NCR)
Coach (Area)
- Louis Banda (NWR)
- Kerry Sullivan (New London Area)
2002
Susan Saint James Award - Leadership
- Robert Fiondella, Sr.
- Joe Gugliotti
Community Leadership
- Knights of Columbus
Bozzuto Family Award - Family
- The Lapuk Family
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award - Athlete
- Katrina Ceballos
Eunice Murtha Award - Philanthropists
- Vin Baker
Sheila Schmidt Award - Volunteer
- Barry Baiardi
Family (Area)
- Ciccone Family (SWR)
- Bernetich Family (NCR)
Small Business (Area)
- Parker Medical (NWR)
- Northrop Grumman Corp/Norden Systems (Sponsor New Haven)
Volunteer (Area)
- Jody Madore (Tolland)
Local Program (Area)
- Mystic/Ledyard (New London)
Organization (Area)
- K of C Cargill Council 64(NE Area)
2001
Susan Saint James Award - Leadership
- Rosemarie Burton
Community Leadership
- AT&T Boradband
Bozzuto Family Award - Family
- Blees/Doherty
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award - Athlete
- Drusilla Sniffin
Eunice Murtha Award - Philanthropists
- Rosemary Collins
Sheila Schmidt Award - Volunteer
- Susan Cable
Family (Area)
- Hughes Family
- Blees/Doherty Family
Small Business (Area)
- Place Motor, Inc.
- Piontek Restoration Services
- Micro Matic, Inc.
Volunteer (Area)
- Robin Pedone
- David Burke
- Renee Falcone
Organization (Area)
- United States Coast Guard Chief Pettey Officers
Tribute
- Roxanne Augelli
- Katherine Marchand-Beyer
- Karen Kalenauskas
- Geanne Murphy
2000
No Dinner
1999
Susan Saint James Award - Leadership
- Peter Mulligan
Community Leadership
- Phoenix
Bozzuto Family Award - Family
- Dennin Family
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award - Athlete
- Mark Swiconek
Eunice Murtha Award - Philanthropists
- Mrs. Meta DeMacarte
Sheila Schmidt Award - Volunteer
- Jerry & Carol Carpenter
Family (Area)
- Linda, Al and Mark Burnell
- The Cicchese Family
- The Smurlo Family
- The Boughton Family
Small Business (Area)
- People's Loan Company
Media (Area)
- The News-Times
Coach (Area)
- Debra Albers
Organization (Area)
- City of Waterbury
Tribute
- Ken Bragg - 1982
- Terry Petrafera - 1987
- Tom Hill - 1983
1998
Susan Saint James Award - Leadership
- Timothy Shriver
- Tom Sullivan
- Peter Wheeler
- Taylor Lupica
- Susan Saint James
Community Leadership
- UTC
- Connecticut Law Enforcement
- DialAmerica
- Northeast Utilities
- SNET
Bozzuto Family Award - Family
- Bozzuto Family
- Schaeffer Family
- Bryson Family
- Barber Family
- Leclerc Family
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award - Athlete
- Erik Heiney
- Jamie Lazaroff
- Ronald Leclerc
- Kristen Pendziwater
- Joseph Tracz
Eunice Murtha Award - Philanthropists
- Calvanese Family
- Guida Family
- Bernard & Ruth Madoff
- Thomas & Elizabeth Joyce
- *Eunice Murtha
Sheila Schmidt Award - Volunteer
- *Sheila Schmidt
- Tom Hill
- Norman Hanenbaum
- Barbara Puffer
- Ken Bragg
President's Awards
2022 President’s Award Recipients
- Frank "Cheech" DeFazio
- Kate Jackson
- Chris Sferruzzo
- Paul Wilson
President’s Awards are presented to those who have made outstanding contributions to Special Olympics Connecticut.
Previous President’s Award Recipients
- Lisa Kovlakas
- Lauren DeStefano
- Heidi Adamski
- Mary Ellen Curran
- Linda DeWolfe
- Sandra Gervais
- Colleen Langlais
- Joyce Stille
- Craig Weske
- John Zepp
- Ardith Schneider
- Bill Bonnell
- Chris Mills
- Daniel Rush
- Dave Erasmus
- Delia Thomas
- Erin O'Reilly
- Erin Randall
- Heather Minervini
- Jeanne Hager
- Karissa Niehoff
- Olivia Skiffington
- Robert (Bob) Elmer III
- Stephanie Riccio
- Susan Rylander
- Jeff Wilpon
- John Miller
- Larry Kucharski
- Dan Ochs
- John Papa
- Brett Salafia
- Don Bischoff
- Luann Cataudella
- Mike Savage, Formerly of the Connecticut Association of Schools/Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference
- Bob Gobrecht, Special Olympics North America
- Jonathan Capone, West Haven High School
- Ernie Conti, Crystal Rock
- Renee DiNino, Clear Channel Radio
- Lou Pear, Former Director of Unified Sports®, Connecticut Association of Schools
- Ken Bragg, Former Assistant Director of Unified Sports®, Connecticut Association of Schools
- Ted English, Bob's Discount Furniture
- Bob Kaufman, Bob's Discount Furniture
- Cathy Poulin, Bob's Discount Furniture
- Mark Walsh, Bob's Stores
- Darcy Arute, Northeast Utilities
- Cheryl Santostefano, Northeast Utilities
- Rose McCormack, Northeast Utilities
- Suzanne Powaluk, Northeast Utilities
- Cheryl Evans, Special Olympics Connecticut Athlete
- Shirley Strombert, Special Olympics Connecticut Athlete
- Shelley Mancini, Volunteer - Croquet
- Nick Foligno, Northeast Utilities
1997
- Phoenix
1996
- Doc Rivers
1995
- Tom Sullivan
1994
- Taylor & Mike Lupica
1993
- Susan Saint James
1992
- Ray Denny
1991
- UTC
- Adam Bozzuto
1990
- Robotham Family
- Bob Bryson