Michael Hokanson

Ansonia, CT

Michael Hokanson is a member of the medical team for Team Connecticut going to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games! Michael lives in Ansonia, CT and holds the position of VP and Controller at the Newtown Savings Bank in Newtown. He also serves as the Assistant Chief for Ansonia Medical Medical Services. This will be Michael’s first time attending a USA Games!

Michael first got involved with Special Olympics as a volunteer medical provider for track and field at Summer Games 14 years ago. 

“As everyone can tell you, once you get involved with Special Olympics, it just becomes something that you have to do,” says Michael. 

From Summer Games to the Fall Festival to Winter Games, Michael has found himself drawn in by the sportsmanship and friendship among the athletes, Unified partners, staff members, families, spectators, and everyone involved in Special Olympics! He has been a medical volunteer at track and field, bowling, basketball, tennis, croquet, soccer, sailing, swimming, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, alpine skiing, snowboarding, speedskating, softball, floorball, and golf. 

“Special Olympics has truly shown me that athletes come from everywhere!” says Michael. Although most people look at someone with special needs as incapable of accomplishing certain things, Special Olympics has shown him that these individuals are more than capable of accomplishing anything they put their mind to! 

Michael has participated in the Over the Edge fundraiser for Special Olympics Connecticut twice and now volunteers as a Ropes Volunteer for Over the Edge events that benefit Special Olympics and additional community organizations.

Michael admires all of the Special Olympics participants. “They demonstrate true athleticism, camaraderie, teamwork, and care for each other in every interaction they have,” he says. 

To Michael, attending USA Games is another opportunity to give back to an organization he cares about, and he looks forward to interacting with volunteers and participants from other states to experience the Special Olympics community on a much larger scale.