Meet our Special Olympic National Summer Games Organizing Committee Members
The saying “It takes a village” is so true. To host an event of this magnitude takes the concerted efforts of many great volunteers. We are so very honoured that Nova Scotians have come together in the true spirit of Special Olympics to help us create the ultimate Games experience for the over 1400 athletes and coaches who will be coming to St. FX University and Nova Scotia from July 31-Aug 4th. We extend our utmost gratitude to the following Games Organizing Committee Members:
| Executive Committee | Name |
| Games Organizing Co- Chair | Carl Chisholm |
| Games Organizing Co-Chair | Marc Champoux |
| Town of Antigonish – Mayor | Laurie Boucher |
| Antigonish County – Warden | Owen McCarron |
| SONS Host Rep. | Michael Greek |
| SONS Host Rep. | Terry Richardson |
| SONS Host – Board Chair | Robin McNeil |
| SOC Rep | Blair McIntosh |
| Legal/Policy Advisor | Tara Miller |
| Legal/Policy Advisor | Natalie Woodbury |
| Provincial Government Rep | Neal Alderson |
| Provincial Government Rep | Stacey Jones – Oxner |
| Directors | |
| Games Manager | Matt Quinn |
| Chief Admin | Linda MacDonald |
| Summer Student – GM support/volunteer | Oliver Kuehm |
| Director of Finance | Heather Murphy |
| Director of Events/Hospitality | Carla Gillis |
| Family Services | Alison Sampson |
| Honoured Guests | Joe MacDonald |
| Ceremonies – Opening and Closing | Mary Farrell |
| Torch Run | Mark Mander and John Pellerine |
| Medal Presentations | Krista Wadman |
| Family Event | Shirlyn Donovan |
| Athlete Village | Jeff Teasdale |
| Town of Antigonish Representative | Trish Cameron |
| Athlete Experience | Krista Wadman |
| Family Services – Tourism | Cindy MacKinnon |
| STFX Conference Services | Jennifer Sylvester |
| Director of Fundraising and Sponsorship | Doug Ives |
| Sponsorship/Fundraising – Lead | Marc Champoux |
| Special Olympics Canada – Sponsorship | Cary Weingust |
| Director of Communication | Brian Lazzuri |
| Director of Marketing | Daphne North |
| SO Liason – Marketing & Communication | Anne Marie Shannon |
| Director of Operations and Support | Bob Hale |
| Co– Accommodations (St. FX) | Johnann Leblanc |
| Events- Stfx | Susan Grant |
| Co- Food Services – St. FX | Kevin Fraser |
| Co- Food Services | Doreen Richardson |
| Security | Robert Proctor |
| Medical | Andrew Heighton |
| Transportation | Dave Wamboldt |
| Facilities – Venue support | Peter MacDonald |
| Facilities – Venue support | Dalton Ferguson |
| Facilities – Venue support | Don Sampson |
| Director of Administration and Volunteers | Lynne Delorey |
| IT/Internal Communications | Michael McCarther |
| Director of Sport | Tim Hynes |
| Sport and venue manager | Phil Diochon |
| Results and Scoring – SOI | Rueben Silva |
| Mission Services | Vanessa Robertson |
| Healthy Athletes | Tom Fahie |
| Special Olympics Canada – Sport | Serge Boulianne |
| Sport Manager – Soccer | Geoff Spencer |
| Sport Manager – Basketball | Stephanie Spencer |
| Venue Manager – Basketball | Mary Beth McCarron |
| Sport Manager – Track and Field | Cathy Tulkens |
| Sport Manager – Track and Field | Paul MacDonald |
| Sport Manager – Track and Field | Bernie Chisholm |
| Venue Manager – Track and Field | Londo Scattolon |
| Sport Manager – Swimming | Carla MacQuarrie |
| Venue Manager – Swimming | Bethany Theuerkauf |
| Sport Manager – Bocce | Jamie MacDougall |
| Venue Manager – Bocce | John McIntosh |
| Sport Manager – Softball | Richie Connors |
| Sport Manager – Powerlifting | Ryan Kells |
| Venue Manager – Powerlifting | Dan Demone |
| Venue Manager – Powerlifting | Connor Demone |
| Sport Manager – Rhythmic Gymnastics | Lisa Hopper |
| Sport Manager – Golf | Dave Deluzio |
| Venue Manager – Golf |
We are also supported by the Honorary Council Members:
Peter MacKay, Rob Sobey, Jeff MacLean, Danny Graham, JJ Grant – Brigadier-General, Dr. Kent MacDonald, Mary Ellen MacPhee, Wadih Fares, Irene MacLeaod, Dr. Willaum (Bill) Stanish, Mickey MacDonald
Matt Quinn
“It takes a village to provide Special Olympic Athletes with an exceptional experience”
Meet Matt Quinn, Games Manager of the Special Olympics Canada, 2018 National Summer Games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia July 31st to August 4th.
As Program Director at Special Olympics Nova Scotia (SONS) since the fall of 2010, Matt has been an integral partner in the development and delivery of the SONS Athletic programs. With over twenty provincial chapters and 1700 Athletes, Matt has assisted in organizing more than fourteen provincial games since joining and is a fixture with all the Nova Scotian Athletes, coaches and volunteers.
Each provincial and national game is athlete centered. What is exceptional about our first National Summer Games in over two decades? It is at a uniquely qualified location. St. Francis Xavier (St. FX) University offers world class competitive sports and student facilities in an idyllic location. St. FX will minimize Athlete travel with the majority of sport competition sites within walking distance. Athletes will be able to focus on competition as the scheduling and timing of the sites are not determined by a shuttle. Our Athletes comfort level will hopefully increase their competitive edge. Not only is the team at St. FX familiar with our games and events, we have a great working relationship with the university which will ensure the Athletes can focus and enjoy a superior experience. It will truly be an Olympic Village.
We are very encouraged by the participation to date and hope to further engage the community of Antigonish through volunteers and spectators. While there have been National Games hosted in larger urban centers in the past, the organizing committee is optimistic that the experience of the entire Antigonish community through the power of sport will be infectious. We are optimistic that the National Summer Games legacy in Antigonish will be a catalyst for change in the lives of Canadian Special Athletes and their communities.
Matt is a member of the Games Organizing Committee (GOC) which includes Co-Chairs Carl Chisholm, Mayor of Town of Antigonish and well-known businessman, Marc Champoux of BMO Nesbitt Burns.
Marc Champoux
Meet Marc Champoux, Co-Chair of the 2018 National Summer Games (SO2018) in Antigonish, Nova Scotia July 31st to August 4th.
Although Marc is very busy as a Vice President and Branch Manager at BMO Nesbitt Burns along with his team, to assist the Cape Breton community in achieving their financial goals, he was deeply inspired to champion the competitive goals of Canada’s Special Olympics Athletes as an ambassador for the first national games (SO2018) outside an urban centre in 50 years. Living in Antigonish and as a fan of St. Francis Xavier (St. FX) University, along with Carl Chisholm, his co-chair, lobbying to have the 50th Anniversary of the Special Olympics national summer games was irresitible. “For the community, the Athletes and the organization…. How could we say no?”
Be an inspired volunteer
With a targeted budget of $2 million dollars, we are confident that along with our capable volunteers, we have the depth of talent and resources to “put the show on” for Athletes, their families and fans! We believe it will be a distinct national games as the Town of Antigonish offers a refreshing contrast to larger urban centers. Participating Special Athletes, Coaches and Managers can walk to their events, fans and families can easily find short transportation to competitions and the world class sports facilities St. Francis Xavier University leave lots of time to cheer on their team mates and explore Antigonish.
The volunteer experience is as infectious as the Special Athletes themselves. If you wish to be inspired as we are, please consider volunteering for the 2018 Special Olympics National Games.
