Mary Theos' name might not be one that's heard very often around the local sports scene, but it soon will be.
Theos, who has been running the Londonderry Special Olympics basketball program for the last 17 years, will receive the Robert W. Lincoln Award on May 15 at the Londonderry High spring pep rally. The award is given annually to the individual who demonstrates over a significant amount of time the characteristics of leadership, volunteerism, and devotion to the town of Londonderry and especially its youth.
The winner is chosen by the superintendent, a School Board member, a Town Council member, the town recreation director, a member of the Recreation Department and a representative from a youth athletic group.
"I am completely surprised," said Theos. "They caught me by surprise but it means a lot. When I look at the other people who have won the award, it is tremendous."
Theos talked about her involvement with the program, how she got into it, and how much it means to keep doing it after all these years in this week's First and 10:
What made you want to begin a Special Olympics program in Londonderry and what did it take to get the program up and running?
My son Teddy, who loves basketball, is the reason why I went into the basketball Special Olympics. They had a Special Olympics for track and field but my son wasn't interested in it because he likes basketball. I found out that the Special Olympics did have basketball, and I said, "Well let's give it a try," and they started out with the kids that were in his program when he was 8 years old — he's now 25 — and I have been doing it ever since.
What are your responsibilities within the program?
I am the coordinator of the basketball program. They get the gym together, find the coaches for the teams, and I like to be hands-on with the kids. I like to have fun with the kids in basketball; I don't know that much about basketball, but the rest of my family does that. There is a lot of basketball in our family. My son Teddy was going to be like everybody else — he just loved it and took off with it. It has come a long way; it started out with just individual skills like counting how many times you can dribble in one spot, to now these kids and young adults doing a full-court game.
It is really exiting because sometimes in practice I have kids come in on Sunday mornings, the kids that have practice after my Special Olympics practice, and I see them come in just a little early to watch my guys and that makes me feel really good. A couple of them have watched us for a long time and have even volunteered to help. That's exciting because these kids are like everybody else — they love basketball and they have a ball with it.
How long have you been with the program?
Probably 17 years and it doesn't matter what the disability is, I will find a way for them to play basketball. I will do something and I do remember some parents bringing their kids in and saying we'll just see if it can be done, but where there's a will, there's a way, and they are going to play.
What got your son interested in basketball?
It's because we kind of dragged him into games all of the time. My husband was a coach, my son was a player and coach, my daughter was a player and my other son is still coaching at the high school now. We just live on a basketball court. And Teddy is good, he can make a three-point shot and he can do anything; he loves it and that's what made me get started with it. When his friends came in and then we got more teams, and then we got individual skills, then we figured out the different programs where the kids fit in, and it was well worth it.
How long have you lived and worked in Londonderry?
Forever. I have been with the league for about 16 years because my son is in special needs. When he got out of the program, I got into the program because I just love going in there and working with the kids. I even bring him in from time to time, and he likes working with the kids and just being there. And it is amazing how the kids get along with these guys. It is rewarding. I just truly enjoy being with the kids.
What about it is most rewarding?
The most rewarding part is their faces. It's absolutely the smiles on their faces. I don't care whether they are verbal or nonverbal, or can't move their arms or legs, it all shows up on their faces.
What is the most challenging part?
I like a challenge. I like it when there is a child that comes in and I have to figure out a way that him or her can do something with a basketball and that's it. Making these kids' day, whether it be for an hour. ... I just want them to have fun and they do. No matter what their day was like at school or how their ride on the bus was, when they come in that gym I want them to have fun.
How does someone else get involved with the program?
Call me or call Cheryl (O'Shea). We make sure that there is a Special Forces now — I do the basketball and she does the track and field. Either one of us can be contacted at Moose Hill, because we both work there from time to time.
What are the plans for the future of the program?
There was bowling for a while, and if somebody else wants to start another sport, that would be absolutely welcome. There is Special Olympics out of Manchester, and they are in the phone book, you can find out through them if you want to get started on starting another sport. Londonderry is one of the few towns that does the younger kids, I had kids from Derry or Windham and Hampstead on my team because those towns didn't have anything for the younger kids; they were for the younger adults. Ours can go from anywhere, from 8 years and up, and there is no cut-off.
At the end of the day, what do you take from this experience?
Until I got this award, I didn't realize that I have been doing it for that long. I realized how much time has gone by. I take so much from it that it gives me, just as much as it gives them. I get so much from it, from the first time that he dribbled to the first time that he made some contact, and even the first time that he didn't want to get up, I felt like Rocky when I got him up. It does kinds of things, it just makes me feel good to have fun with the kids. I'm not a hands-on coach, because I don't know that much about sports, but I am hands-on with working with the kids. I go from team to team, they all know me and I just interact with all of them.
