Unified Sports® Director to Retire
7.14.25
By: Mia Sansone
Robert Hale, the Director of Special Olympics Unified Sports® in schools, is stepping into retirement at the end of this academic year.
Hale has been a passionate leader for the past eleven years; he loves helping establish new teams, involving new schools and getting new coaches. He says that it’s been an honor to be part of a team of colleagues that can come up with an idea by lunch and put it into action the next morning.
“There’s quite a synergy amongst us, we’re always looking for the next thing,” Hale said.
Hale’s time as Director of Unified Sports has been filled with lots of warm moments. Hale reveres Unified Sports for being a place full of inclusion, respect, and most of all joy. He says that everyone who is involved in the program—from athletes, to partners and coaches—has been nothing short of fantastic.
“It’s funny because you end up having closer relationships with people as you continue to see them,” said Hale. “There are some particular athletes that I feel close to, who give me a warm smile when they see me, or they come up and give me a hug. So that always makes you feel great.”
Hale has been working in the education sector his entire career, serving as a band director at the Morgan School in Clinton and as principal at Westbrook High. His passion to be involved with schools and students is what led him to be the Director of Unified Sports. When he saw there was an opening to work with Special Olympics and CIAC in Unified Sports, he jumped at the opportunity.
After an accomplished career, Hale looks forward to a busy but rewarding retirement. He intends to continue helping with Unified Sports by volunteering as well as consulting with the upcoming Director of Unified Sports. Apart from this, he looks forward to spending time with family, singing in his community choir, directing his church choir and performing magic at Mohegan Sun and in schools.
“My goal is other people’s success. I think if we can all live like that, everyone can accomplish more and have a better frame of mind as a result.”