Youth confirmed, leaders inspired: Jordan Schubert

When Jordan Schubert took a basketball for the first time as a child in the Chicago area, he had no idea how far that first dribble would bring him. Introduced in Special Olympics in the fifth grade, his mother signed up for basketball ‘as something to do in the fall’. What followed was a lifelong journey defined by sport, trust, leadership and ultimately a vacancy.

“I didn’t really know what I was starting at the time,” said Schubert. “But from the sixth grade I kept every moment.”

His passion for basketball grew, and while he tried it too bowling” football” floor hockeyAnd softballThe hardwood remained his house with one of his most cherished memories when he won his first gold medal on his mother’s birthday.

Special Olympic Games helped Schubert to grow much further than athletics. “It helped me academically,” he said. “I got better grades and made more friends.”

Schubert’s leadership trip started in high school when he was selected to attend the USA Games National Youth Summit 2010. That chance led him to champion Unified Champion Schools Initiatives in Illinois, and later, as a member of the National Youth Activation Committee after moving to Pennsylvania.

From there, Schubert’s relationship with special Olympic Games was deepened. In 2013 he did an internship at the headquarters of the organization in Washington, DC, together with the User Experience (UX) team and supporting departments at the office. “If I was done my own work early, I would help other departments they were needed,” he said.

That same summer, at a staff conference in Charlotte, Schubert met the president and CEO of Special Olympics Pennsylvania And learned about an upcoming vacancy. “I applied as soon as my internship ended and got it a few months later,” he said.

He started part -time during university as coordinator of the athlete leadership, which essentially supports the daily activities of the department. But only two months later, Schubert’s transfer of staff pushed to take on more responsibility. Balancing a full academic course tax with his work has helped him to sharpen the most important professional skills, prioritization, delegation, independence.

After graduating, Schubert was promoted to full -time. A year later he took on an extensive role as manager of Athlete leadership And Young athletes. “Young athletes was such a meaningful addition,” said Schubert. “I wish it was when I was younger, I would have started special Olympic Games much earlier.”

Nowadays Schubert’s work is concentrating on developing and supporting athlete leaders in Pennsylvania. He helps individuals to set goals, to plan speeches and performances and make contact with regional staff. He also leads over the entire training sessions and recently helped to launch a recognition program to celebrate athletes that go further.

Because of all this he continues to apply lessons on the field. “Many principles that I learned from sports, teamwork, resilience, reflection. I try to apply it to my work,” he said. “Be a team player. Stay stable. Always strive to improve it.”

Schubert is still competing. He played basketball on the USA Games 2022 in Orlando. That experience, which came from the pandemic, only deepened his appreciation for the mission. “It made me appreciated what I do and what others do so much more,” he said.

For Schubert, working at Special Olympics is about more than a salary.

He also believes that hiring athletes is not about checking a box. “If other sports organizations appreciate people with an experiences, why would we not?” he said. “Athletes bring insight that everything makes better. We don’t have all the answers, but inclusive cooperation is how we build a better future.”

“Inclusion for me means one,” he added. “It doesn’t matter which word you use – invalid, including – it is about seeing each other as one.”