Special Olympics CT 2014 Team Debuts at Stamford's Chelsea Piers

On Tuesday, the Special Olympics Connecticut organization presented for the first time at Chelsea Piers Connecticut the 2014 Special Olympics Team members. 

Among the 76 athletes making their debut together with their coaches were a number of special guests, including Stephanie McMahon, Creative Executive Vice President at WWE in Stamford and Honorary Team Connecticut Chairperson and Team Connecticut Sponsor, Kristine Lilly, Two-time World Champion and Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in Soccer and Honorary Team Connecticut Head Coach and Loretta Claiborne, World-class Runner, Motivational Speaker and Special Olympics Athlete.

The team members and their respective sports are as follows:
Aquatics 
Coach: 
Heather Minervini, Wolcott
Athletes:
Kristy DeCosta, East Lyme
Anna Reagle, Guilford
Robert King, Middlebury
Nicholas Margolfo, Enfield
Athletics 
Coach: 
Craig Malan, North Branford
Athletes:
Kimberly Malan, Manchester  
Beth Sklar, Hamden
John Brixner, Hamden
Tim Sturges, New Haven
Unified Triathlon 
Coach:
Joe Race, Hamden
Athletes:
Sean Bogart, Hamden 
Troy Sundwall, Wallingford

Bocce
Coach:
Stephanie Cerrato, Wallingford
Athletes:
Joanne Sorel, Putnam 
Jennifer McLellan, TorringtonUnified Bocce
Athletes: 
Jamie Louchen, New Milford
Barton Cole, Torrington

Bowling 
Coach:
Scott Goldin, Shelton
Athletes:
Kyle Petit, Bristol 
Allyson Portnoy, Shelton
Rebecca Lamoin, Torrington
Max Zionts, Windsor
Cycling 
Coach:
Larry Doherty, Beacon Falls
Athletes: 
Michael Canty, Wallingford 
Kevin Cutsinger, Baltic
Kevin Karwoski, Bristol
Andrew Szczesny, Mystic
Golf 
Coach:
Clif Backes, Moodus
Athletes:
Michael Welch, West Haven 
Ryan Riordan, Milford
Frank Riccio, Guilford
Andrew MacMillan, Trumbull

Powerlifting 
Coach: 
Chris Capobianco, Milford
Athletes:
David Dennin, Trumbull 
Travis Stolle, Torrington
Unified Tennis 
Coaches:
Barbara Fitzpatrick, Darien
Greg Moran, Wilton
Athletes:
Grace Knechtle, New Canaan 
Lyn Nevins, Darien 
Maya Todrin, Stamford
Kyra Fitzpatrick, Darien

Unified Basketball 
Coaches:
Kyle Malan, Cromwell
Ron Masson, East Granby
Athletes:
Ryan Breedlove, Middletown 
Matthew Hicks, Glastonbury 
Tyler Stevens, East Hampton
David Calixto, Hartford
Jamelle Lewis, Windsor
Angel Valdes, Windsor
Corey Malan, Manchester
Bob Sullivan, Southwick, MA
Doug Temple, Glastonbury
Rodney Myers, Cromwell
Jose Rodriguez, Hartford (Alternate)

Unified Soccer 
Coaches:
Tim Cieplik, Groton
Jeff Gill, Shelton
Athletes:
Oliver Croxford-Brock, Danbury 
Eric Bembenek, Putnam
Shane Collins, Shrewsbury, MA
Casey Collins, Shrewsbury, MA
Andrew Farrow, Danielson
Thomas O'Neil, Madison
Matt Capobianco, Milford
Lily Careb, Stonington
Kendra Fitzpatrick, Darien
Stephanie Maiorino, Guilford
Jessica Mueller, Shelton (Alternate)
Unified Softball 
Coaches:
Steve Hicock, Wolcott
Jill Marshall, North Haven
Athletes:
Ryan Cafaro, Stonington 
Mike Guiditta, Wolcott 
Scott Masson, East Granby
Edmond Card, North Haven
George Verderame, Wolcott
Andres Mantilla, Hartford
Greg Hannon, North Haven
Robyn Hicock, Wolcott
Tom Madera, Hamden
David Parolise, Hamden
Amanda Renaud, Middletown
Mark Violano, Hamden
Nicole Cooke, Wolcott
Jimmy DePaola, Meriden (Alternate)
Kyle Fournier, North Haven (Alternate)

Unified Volleyball 
Coaches:
Pete Wagner, New London
Emily O'Reilly, North Branford
Athletes:
Joe Bartolucci, Norwich 
Gordon Ewen, Clinton 
Jeremiah Clayton, Westbrook
Sharon Rivera, Meriden
Tony Thomas, West Hartford
Adam Coletti, Plainfield
John Aronson, Haddam
Kelli Bigelow, Bristol
Alison Fiske, Avon
Jarrod Viens, Preston
Raishaun Holloway (Alternate)
Tricia Stapleton (Alternate)

Head of Delegation 
Joyce Stille, BoltonAsst. Head of Delegation 
Carol Cutler, Windsor LocksMedical Supervisor 
Burdeen Camp, Branford (UBB)Floating Coach 
Ellen Kirsch, Torrington (USC)Floating Coach 
Marlene Leubeck, East Hampton (USB)Staff Assistant 
Katie Femiak, Woodbury (UVB)Chairman, Team CT 
Tom Joyce

A number of special sponsors were on hand and honored as well, including Tom Joyce, Special Olympics Board of Directors Member and Team Connecticut Chairman, Brian Worrell, from GE and Team Connecticut Presenting Sponsor, Warner Depuy, William Pitt Foundation and Team Connecticut Announcement Sponsor, David Tewksbury, President of Chelsea Piers, John Riccardi, Special Olympics Connecticut Board of Directors Chair and Beau Doherty, Special Olympics Connecticut President.

Check out the video above for scenes from the big announcement.