Heather Minervini

Wolcott, CT

Heather Minervini is a swim coach from Wolcott and member of the Connecticut delegation for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Heather works as a Registered Medical Assistant at UCONN Health in Southington and a Medical Assistant Instructor at the American Institute in West Hartford. She’s been a Special Olympics coach for 23 years and is also a Michael Phelps Foundation IM Champion Coach.

Heather credits Special Olympics for changing her life in innumerable ways. “I’ve learned what true determination, courage, and joy really look like. I’ve seen athletes and families push through challenges, support each other, and celebrate victories,” she says. 

Heather loves her family and enjoys being an "Auntie" to her niece and nephew. She admires those who are brave and take risks since they don’t see failure as a negative thing, but as a first attempt to learn.

This is Heather’s fourth Special Olympics USA Games. She’s also participated in the Games in  2014, 2018, and 2022. 

To prepare her athletes to compete, Heather is training them both in and out of the pool. “Coaching Team Connecticut is exciting, challenging, and inspiring,” she says.