9th Annual Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Game Comes to Columbus!
By Lily Coates
July 23rd marks the ninth annual Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Game. The 2024 All-Star game will feature 52 unified team members representing 26 MLS clubs, competing in an 11 vs. 11 matchup. This event is a testament to the enduring partnership between Major League Soccer (MLS) and Special Olympics, celebrating nearly a decade of collaboration that fosters inclusion and showcases the talents of athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Six individuals will represent Special Olympics Ohio and the two Ohio MLS clubs. Coach Megan Bender, Unified partner Nehemiah Tanga, and Special Olympics Ohio athlete Lakota McMillion will represent the Columbus Crew, while coach Marc Harris, Unified partner Taran McMillian, and Special Olympics Ohio athlete Mady Wheelock will represent FC Cincinnati.
Coach Megan Bender has been a part of the Special Olympics Ohio organization for eight years. Her journey with Special Olympics began in 2016 when she started as an intern for the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. After her internship, she continued with the organization, coaching multiple Special Olympics sports, specifically Bocce. “Once you join the organization, you never want to leave,” exclaimed Bender. Her dedication led to her being offered the position of Special Olympics Specialist, and she now serves as the Franklin County Coordinator.
This is not Bender’s first All-Star Game. In 2017, she attended her first All-Star game in Chicago, where she played as one of the Unified partners. She returned in 2019 to Orlando, as a coach. This year, Bender will return as a coach, and in addition to coaching her own players, Bender was asked to coach the Eastern Conference All-Star team as a whole.
Coach Marc Harris’s journey with Special Olympics began with his son, a dedicated athlete who competes in track and field events. This led him to become involved in coaching multiple Special Olympics sports. Since 2013, Harris has served as the head coach of the Montgomery County soccer team.
“Special Olympics is a great opportunity for the athletes to participate,” Harris explains. “It allows them to build their confidence and see that they can do more than they think they can.” Beyond the competition, Harris emphasizes the importance of learning and growth. This is Harris’s first time going to the All-Star game. “I hope to learn from the other coaches and gain some coaching experience to bring back to my team,” says Harris.
The All-Star game is more than just a match; it is a celebration of unity, skill, and the breaking down of barriers. Athletes train rigorously throughout the year, honing their skills and preparing for this momentous event. The Unified Sports approach, which pairs athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team, promotes inclusion and mutual respect.
Lakota McMillion, one of the Special Olympics athletes representing the Columbus Crew, has been involved with Special Olympics Ohio for many years. McMillion’s main reason for getting involved was to increase his fitness. “It can be a challenge, but you get through that challenge, and it feels so good after,” says McMillion. Beyond soccer, McMillion competes in swimming and track & field, demonstrating his versatile athletic talents.
Although new to soccer, McMillion has embraced the sport enthusiastically, quickly adapting to its new challenges. McMillion expressed immense pride in being selected for the 2024 All-Star game. He is particularly looking forward to playing against the other team and observing their playing style while also meeting different athletes from around the country selected to play in this game.
Working alongside McMillion and also representing the Columbus Crew is Unified partner Nehemiah Tanga. Tanga started playing soccer when he was just two years old. With an impressive background, having played at both Xavier and Capital University, Tanga brings excellent experience to the team.
Tanga’s journey into the Special Olympics was inspired by his late brother, Josiah, who began competing in 2017 and participated in track and field, basketball, and soccer. Tanga fondly remembers cheering for his brother and shares, “When he passed away, it lit a fire in me to continue his legacy and see the world through his eyes.” This motivation led Tanga to become more deeply involved in Special Olympics.
Now in his third year as a Unified partner for the Franklin County Unified team, Tanga has found this role to be a way to feel closer to his brother. This is Tanga’s first appearance in the Unified MLS All-Star Game, a milestone that holds significant meaning for him. “I never expected this,” he admits. “It means the world to me, and I want to enjoy it as much as possible and be as thankful as I can.”
“Nehemiah is a great teammate and coach,” McMillion enthusiastically remarked about his time working with Tanga. Both Tanga and McMillion were chosen for this year’s All-Star game not only for their strong athletic ability but also for their outstanding representation of leadership and teamwork.
Despite knowing each other for only a short time, Tanga and McMillion’s on-field connection has also grown into a strong off-field friendship. Tanga proudly shares the joy of watching McMillion’s confidence grow on the field. One of Tanga’s most memorable moments in Special Olympics was witnessing Lakota win five medals in track and field at the 2024 Summer Games. The organization has taught him invaluable lessons in compassion and patience.
Reflecting on his involvement, Tanga describes it as “a godsend.” He explains, ” I have been able to discover what more life has to offer for a bunch of different people with a bunch of personalities that come from a bunch of different backgrounds, and it opened my eyes to how much you can help and give back to people by doing a simple act.”
Mady Wheelock, one of the Special Olympics athletes representing FC Cincinnati, has been passionate about soccer since she was five. Throughout her extensive soccer journey, Wheelock has played for various clubs and teams in her area, including all four years in high school. She joined Special Olympics three years ago to reconnect with the sport she loves, finding in it an opportunity to play and meet new people.
Wheelock’s involvement in Special Olympics was initially encouraged by a teammate, and for the past three years, she has enjoyed playing both soccer and basketball. She proudly serves as the captain of the Montgomery County Special Olympics soccer team, bringing over 15 years of soccer experience to the role. The impact of Special Olympics on her life is profound, allowing her to continue playing soccer after high school while providing a supportive community.
Beyond her soccer career, Wheelock pursued her education at Sinclair Community College, earning a two-year certificate in child development. She later obtained a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, leading to her full-time role as an assistant preschool teacher, where she has been employed for the past two years.
Unified partner Taran McMillian, representing FC Cincinnati alongside Wheelock, brings over 20 years of soccer experience, including playing Division 1 soccer at Eastern Kentucky University. Her deep passion for soccer and Special Olympics inspired her to join as a Unified partner.
“I have been involved in Special Olympics fundraising since I could walk and talk,” McMillian shares proudly, emphasizing her long-standing involvement. McMillian and her family have long been volunteers for The Battle of the Businesses, the top fundraiser for Special Olympics of Greater Dayton (Special Olympics Ohio- Montgomery County). “It’s really changed my perspective,” says McMillian, reflecting on her time volunteering with Special Olympics. “They see the good in the world and remind me to stop and enjoy the little things in life.”
This is McMillian’s first time participating as a Unified partner. “I get to be around some of the best people and play the sport I love,” McMillian says, excited about this new opportunity. “The combination of both is so exciting, and I’m very passionate about it.”
The ninth annual 2024 Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Game will be held on Tuesday, July 23rd, at the Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET and is free and open to the public. The MLS welcomes all to join and promises an afternoon of high-energy sportsmanship and community spirit.
Author Lily Coates is a MarComms intern for Special Olympics Ohio, and is a student at The Ohio State University.