This is Jordan Schubert.
Jordan is a Special Olympics Pennsylvania athlete and also a Special Olympics Pennsylvania staff member. He’s our Manager of Athlete Leadership & Young Athletes.
This is his first Special Olympics USA Games and yesterday he scored 12 points to lead his basketball team to a 39-18 win against North Dakota.
We caught up with Jordan to ask him about the game, the experience and life in general. Here’s what he said:
“I felt like it was everything I thought of and more. I was a little nervous but as soon as we got inside [the arena], I sat down and closed my eyes for a bit and tried not to think about anything. Tried not to look around. Just look at the court I was playing on and focus on one thing at a time. I’ve been hot and cold a lot, especially without having played many games in two years. The thing I pride myself on more than my shooting is my defense. When that works my offensive game will take care of itself. …
[Jordan held up 10 fingers to the crowd after his fifth bucket] That’s how I tell people that I reached double digits. I started doing it as a tribute to Ron Santo. Growing up a Cubs fan, he was always one of my inspirations how he struggled with diabetes but worked hard every day to be the great baseball player he was. I just also want to thank my coaches. They’re a big reason why we’re here. They push us to do better each day. …
I think any athlete that pursues a leadership opportunity, they’re first and foremost an athlete. I’m very fortunate with my work that they allow me to compete. It’s well worth it and, if anything, I’ve made a lot of friends because of it that I probably wouldn’t have if I didn’t work for SOPA. …
I’m always interested in hearing what people like to do, where they’re from, their stories. That’s part of my job, just hearing how people got involved and what Special Olympics means to them. But I also think it means a great deal to be here with people after two years of not having anything. This is significant.”
#ShineAsOne | #TeamPA
Special Olympics Pennsylvania 