Willowbrook teacher named Head Coach of Illinois Athletics Team for Special Olympics USA Games

Left: Pictured is Willowbrook English teacher and Special Olympics Coach Tara Murphy, who has been named as Head Coach for the Illinois Athletics Team that will compete in a variety of traditional track and field events during the Special Olympics USA Games this summer. Right: Murphy (left) is pictured with the Illinois Athletics Team.

For more than a decade, Willowbrook English teacher Tara Murphy has coached student-athletes at Willowbrook through Special Olympics Illinois.

Murphy has led the Special Olympics Basketball and Track and Field teams, and she was recently named as Head Coach for the Illinois Athletics Team that will compete in a variety of traditional track and field events during the Special Olympics USA Games this summer. That event will take place from July 1 to 6 in Seattle. To earn the Head Coach position, Murphy had to apply, submit letters of recommendation and interview with Team Illinois.

“I have grown to see what a difference these events make for the athletes and their families, the fans, etc., so being able to coach at this huge event means reaching even more people through this great organization,” Murphy said. “I am looking forward to working with athletes of various ages – our team is comprised of members from 12 to 39 years old. I also am excited to witness the numerous sports offered through the USA Games. This competition is truly treated like the Olympics, so it’s going to be a great event with so many amazing opportunities. Ultimately, I hope to learn a few things I can bring back to Willowbrook to benefit our students.”

Murphy said her passion to work with individuals with special needs began as a child, when her parents instilled in her the importance of accepting all types of people. Murphy also was impacted by a close childhood friend who had Down syndrome, as she saw firsthand how his family insisted on inclusion and equity. Those concepts became part of Murphy’s life values.

Murphy said she’s thrilled to work with the Illinois Athletics Team, and she hopes to create wonderful memories for the athletes.

“Overall, the concept and message of Special Olympics is for athletes to be ‘brave in their attempts,’ even if they don't win,” Murphy said. “On top of that, I hope they get to experience something they haven't before, as this will be a new opportunity for many of them. As I have done smaller trips with our Willowbrook teams, I realize how important it is for the participants to not only compete athletically, but also to give them all of the different experiences they sometimes lack. Each student comes from a different background, and Special Olympics is an area where they can excel and attain their goals in an accepting environment.”

For more information about the Special Olympics USA Games, go to https://www.specialolympicsusagames.org.