Breakfast With Champions
Arizona Diamondbacks legendary left fielder Luis Gonzalez pauses for a photo opp with Special Olympians
Special Olympics Arizona raises support for statewide competitions
Arizona Diamondbacks legendary left fielder Luis Gonzalez served as the keynote speaker for the eighth annual Breakfast With Champions to support Special Olympics Arizona. More than 1,150 guests filled the Arizona Biltmore’s Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom on Oct. 23 to raise funds and awareness for the organization. Both the USA Games and World Games athletes were highlighted at the event, as well as the #PlayUnified global campaign.
During the week of July 24 to Aug. 2, 2015, 15 Special Olympics athletes will travel to Los Angeles for the Special Olympics World Games. They will represent Team USA as a traditional softball team. One equestrian athlete and three softball coaches will also make the trip. One SOAZ staff member will oversee all Team USA kayaking coaches and teams.
The morning generated more than $145,000, which will be used to support statewide competitions, to aid in the further development of programs like Unified Sports, Young Athletes and Healthy Athletes as well as ensure the athletes traveling to the World Games have everything they need to represent both Arizona and Team USA.
Learn more HERE about Special Olympics Arizona.
(left) Athlete and board member James Tucker and Glendale police officer Dave Ramer carry the torch into the event
(middle) The Glendale Police Department presents colors
(right) Luis Gonzalez is a crowd favorite for photos and autographs
(left) Gonzalez signs Play Unified softballs for for Vanessa Robles, the only female athlete traveling to the World Games on the Arizona softball team, and Casey Bagley, a World Games softball athlete
(middle) Darren Moore, UPS; Ray Brown, UPS and SOAZ board member; Luis Gonzalez; and Tim Martin, CEO SOAZ
(right) Gonzalez's delivers keynote address on overcoming adversity
Luis Gonzalez with Special Olympics Arizona staff
