ITEM PHOTO BY SPENSER HASAK
Robert Neal coached the Bridgewell Special Olympics team this past June at Harvard University.
By MATT DEMIRS
LYNN — Growing up as an athlete, the atmosphere and people at the Special Olympics affected Robert Neal so much, he wanted to give back.
The selfless 44-year-old did just that this year as a coach for the Bridgewell Special Olympics team last month.
The three-day event, at Harvard Stadium, brings athletes together for a an action-packed weekend filled with smiles, sweat, and success.
Neal first competed in the Special Olympics when he was seven, but didn’t begin competing annually until 2008, when he joined Bridgewell for day program and residential services because of his developmental disabilities.
Throughout the years Neal has developed relationships with his teammates and those who hail from other teams as well, making the event truly exciting, he said.
“Every year is like a reunion,” he said. “Going to the Special Olympics feels like you’re going to the Super Bowl or the NBA finals.”
He said he believes that competing at Harvard is one of the greatest feelings one could ever imagine.
Neal, who was undefeated in 2009 in track and field, also has competed in the javelin and basketball.
Neal said he enjoys showing off his athletic ability, but as a coach, he’s dedicated to helping his athletes develop both athletically and personally.
Quality assurance and Special Olympics Coordinator, Kelli Hyland, had nothing but great things to say about Neal’s role as a coach.
“Rob is very enthusiastic and upbeat. He’s always promoting everybody’s ability,” she said. “He’s got a lot of energy. He’s also a good role model for other folks.”
She said Rob’s desire to coach, matched with his success, acts as an example by showing people that if you set your goal to achieve it, you can.
Neal tries to inspire by helping his athletes unlock their potential. He does this by mentoring and building their self-esteem.
In order to become a coach, the dedicated Neal had to get his First Aid/CPR certification and pass a 25-question test. He’s as qualified as just about any one of the coaches at the games, Hyland added.
Neal, who has coached for a decade, helped one athlete who doubted her own abilities at the games. He worked with her to overcome the mental block win two medals in track at Milton Academy, a regional qualifier before the final competition at Harvard.
Moments like those, he said, is what makes coaching worthwhile.
“Being a coach is one of the best experiences I could have.” he said. “The team is like a unit and it is my job to be a responsible leader and train the people who want to learn, as well as give them guidance.”
His efforts have been so appreciated by his team that he recently was nominated for and won the Self Determination Award at the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers Lead Conference and Expo last month.
In his free time, Neal likes to take pictures of people, write poetry, go on walks and help other people.
He also holds a full-time job at Kelly’s Roast Beef, where he has worked since 2013, first as a part time employee. After being awarded employee of the month twice in 2015, Neal has made major strides to becoming more independent, Hyland said.
Neal, appreciative of all of his athlete’s hard work said if his voice isn’t gone by the end of the weekend by cheering the team on, he failed as a coach.
“I think this year my voice was gone by the second day,” he said.
Matt Demirs can be reached [email protected]