Pete Wagner

Lisbon, CT

Pete Wagner is a Unified Sports® softball coach from Lisbon who will represent our state at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games! Pete began volunteering for Special Olympics as a child and has been volunteering for over 45 years. He has served as the coach of the Special Olympics New London Wildcats team for 37 years!

“There are no better people to coach and work with (than the athletes),” says Pete. “The benefit I get has made me the man I am today.” 

Pete treats his athletes like family and always makes sure they have what they need to succeed. His biggest challenge is recruiting new Unified Sports® partners and coaches to support his program. He is most proud of his team’s great reputation!

Pete has participated in three Special Olympics USA Games to date. He won a bronze medal for coaching softball at the 2006 USA Games in Iowa, a gold medal for coaching basketball at the 2012 USA Games in Nebraska, and a silver medal for coaching volleyball at the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey. 

Pete is a Case Manager at the State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services. When he’s not working or coaching his Special Olympics team, he enjoys playing pool and spending time with his dogs. He admires his mom the most because she, too, was a volunteer and says he admires every single one of his Special Olympics athletes!