SOAK Volunteer: Steve Beardsley

Volunteer, educator finds inspiration in the moments

Long-time Special Olympics Alaska volunteer Steve Beardsley says “I enjoy the pre-game hassles and the headaches during the games.” Huh? One only has to talk a little longer to this father and veteran educator to learn he means it. A native of Denver, Colorado, Beardsley really does revel in the challenges that come with the job of directing the cross-country skiing and snowshoeing venues at the SOAK winter games. “Watching the smiles, hugs, and tenacity of the athletes, and the involvement of the volunteers with them, is always my reward at the end of the day.”

Beardsley’s involvement began in 1996, when previous SOAK sports director Joel Summers asked him to lead the Nordic Ski Club in hosting certain state games events. It helped that Beardsley’s son Tyler, at the time in high school and a skier, was a Special Olympics coach for a few years. In fact, the whole family became involved during the 2001 World Winter Games in Anchorage. While Beardsley helped with the cross-country skiing competition, his wife of 33 years Nancy hosted the crosscountry skiing awards. Tyler, now a teacher at an Anchorage elementary school, was an athlete attendant. And Beardsley’s daughter Brooke, her husband Todd, and their son Aidan were cheerleaders at the events. 

“Since I have been doing ski race organization for a while, I think keeping the big overall venue in perspective is important,” he said. “Having a tremendous group of volunteers is equally important. Without them, it would be a flop and no fun for anyone.” Beardsley recently added to his Special Olympics involvement by volunteering to help during the 2002 state summer games - an experience he’s likely to repeat. Beardsley also said he would like to pursue coaching and help with the Special Olympics school programs. 

After teaching in Anchorage elementary schools for 27 years, Beardsley recently retired from the Anchorage School District. He says this background serves him well as a volunteer. He has developed patience, honed communication skills, and is able to recognize that athletes are athletes no matter what their mental status. “These athletes are sometimes referred to as ‘kids’ but I disagree,” he said. “Time and commitment, tenacity to a sport discipline, goal setting either in the sport or the work place - this is the ethic of an athlete, not a child. Most of the athletes focus on doing the best they can, and by participating in sports, they can achieve their goal.” “When you talk to the athletes either before or after an event, or at lunch, you can tell if they are having fun. It’s almost always a thumbs up, a smile and a high five. Then ask them ‘What’s next?’ and they will say ‘The dance at the end of the state games!’ Now that’s focusing on your goal!” 

Beardsley mentions a couple of quotes that have become more meaningful as he watches Special Olympics athletes at work. Olympian Dennis Waitley said: “The winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, and I am. Losers concentrate on what they should have or would have done, or what they can’t do.” And Martin Luther King Jr. said: “If you cannot fly, then run. If you cannot run, then walk. If you cannot walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, keep moving.” When asked what has been the most inspiring aspect of Special Olympics involvement, Beardsley just can’t pin it down. “It is not so much one individual, one memory, but the total effect of the program is inspirational,” he said. Still, there are inspirational moments. Lots of them. “Tears come to my eyes when I see the total satisfaction in the faces of the athletes who have gone the distance, no matter what the length,” he said. “During the state winter games, it can get very cold for everyone.
Even so, all the volunteers keep cheering the athletes on down the line; they warm athletes up prior to an event; they put a blankets around other athletes after crossing the finish
line. And middle and high schoolers ski along with, and have conversations with, the athletes.” 

Memories pour back from the World Games as well. He remembers the
athletes and the volunteers making snowmen, dancing the Macarana, and watching a regular Olympian from Lilliehamer dance. Beardsley also recalls all of the athletes from Outside especially wanted to see a moose. So, within an hour some talented volunteers
helped him make a moose cut out, so that the visiting athletes and spectators could
have their picture taken next to a “moose.” “These experiences are what makes it worth every shivering moment and all the time spent before the ggames,” he said.