SPORT SPECIAL OLYMPIC SALUTE
Kellie Dean’s Support For The Cause Never Wavers By MARTI MARTIN
As a Michigan State University scholar-athlete, Kellie Dean never saw the turn his career path would take. After volunteering at Beekman Center, a school for students age 2 to 26 with physical and cognitive needs, his life changed forever. Dean aspired to be a coach and a physical therapist. One summer working with handicapped children changed everything. He switched his major from physical therapy to special education. This was just the beginning of Dean’s journey into the Special Olympics Michigan Hall of Fame. While finishing his degree at MSU, he continued to volunteer at Beekman Center. After graduation, Dean became an adaptive physical education teacher for the Lansing School District. He taught for
12 years while helping to coach at East Lansing High School. During that time, Dean volunteered as director of Area 8 Special Olympics. He finished his teaching career as assistant principal for programs for the physically impaired and hearing impaired at Henry North School. Due to his busy schedule, Dean had to give up the directorship of Area 8 Special Olympics and his high school coaching, as he developed sports for the disabled in the Lansing area.
Dean’s involvement with Special Olympics began in 1974 and continues today. While teaching at Beekman, Dean expanded the sports program from just three sports to yearround activities. Almost every student became involved. Some took part in the Michigan Winter Special Olympics. With Dean’s dedication and determination, some even had the opportunity to go to International Games. “Since his early involvement, he has always been willing to give back to the less fortunate,” said Anne Goudie, director of Area 8 Special Olympics. “It has never been about him. It is always about others.” Dean doesn’t see himself as special. The competitors are the special ones. “Special Olympics is a great opportunity to evaluate the good you have in your
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