Local Special Olympics Athlete to Appear on Commemorative Wheaties Box
Media Contact:
Jennifer Sherlock
jsherlock@jennacommunications.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETE TO APPEAR ON COMMEMORATIVE WHEATIES BOX
BENSALEM, Pa., April 23, 2014 – Tony Vlahovic, Lifestyle Healthcare Group’s director of sports therapy, fitness instruction and rehabilitation management and head coach of Special Olympics New Jersey’s Baseball Team competing in the 2014 USA Games, has one team member, Hunter Norman, who was selected to appear on a commemorative, limited edition Wheaties box. ShopRite stores across the Northeast will sell the box exclusively following its unveiling today to celebrate the upcoming 2014 Special Olympics USA Games. ShopRite is a Founding Partner of this year’s games.
Vlahovic, who pitched three seasons for the Boston Red Sox until an auto accident cut his career short, has continued to stay active in the baseball community by coaching Special Olympics New Jersey’s Baseball Team, set to debut in the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games from June 14-21 in Mercer County, N.J. This is the inaugural year for baseball in the 2014 USA Games, and Vlahovic was responsible for creating one of the first New Jersey teams to compete.
“Hunter, and the rest of our team, has made amazing progress since we began practicing together a year ago,” Vlahovic said. “We started by teaching how to wear a glove properly and use correct throwing mechanics, but today, I’m watching players hit ground balls in the gaps and turn double plays with lightning speed.”
Norman, 15, of Levittown has Asperger’s Syndrome, but has played baseball since he was five. According to his family, having the opportunity to play for Vlahovic, who has Major League experience, has meant the world to Hunter.
“Baseball is Hunter’s life,” said his mom, Debbie. “He will watch as many games as he possibly can and imitates everything the pros do so he can become a better player.”
In addition to his passion for the sport, Hunter loves being a part of a Special Olympics New Jersey baseball team because he can play and compete with other kids that truly understand him. Hunter’s dad said that all his teammates inspire him, and that Hunter strives to set an example for everyone by displaying good sportsmanship.
“Hunter, along with all my players, has caught the baseball bug,” Vlahovic said. “They are so excited to play in the Special Olympics USA Games that many go so far as to sleep in their uniforms. Seeing their teammate on a Wheaties box has inspired them all to compete even harder.”
Both Tony and Hunter will be available for interviews today before and after baseball practice, which lasts from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Special Olympics of New Jersey Complex in Lawrenceville. For more information on Vlahovic’s role at Lifestyle Healthcare Group, visit http://www.lifestylehc.com/. To learn more about the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games and all accompanying activities, visit www.2014specialolympics.org.
###
About Lifestyle Healthcare Group and Lifestyle Comprehensive Healthcare Center:
Lifestyle Comprehensive Healthcare Center is a true multi specialty outpatient center. The center combines family practice medicine along with all of the modalities usually found only in hospitals under one roof. Available specialties include a full women’s center with a comprehensive breast center, full radiology center, female urologist, gynecology, cardiology and breast surgeon just to name a few. There are also eight (8) fully equipped operating suites in the surgery center. The center is capable of operating on a 23 hour basis in order to provide a full spectrum of care that no other facility can match. Patients are offered the convenience of a single location as a destination for all of their healthcare needs. Physicians can provide the highest quality in patient care in an upscale facility with the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment. Additional conveniences include electronic medical records, centralized billing and patient care coordinators to facilitate patient flow through the center. This enables us to recruit all of the top area physicians to the center to deliver the region’s leading healthcare experience.
About the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games
The Special Olympics USA Games will be hosted by New Jersey June 14-21, 2014. Nearly 3,500 athletes will compete in 16 Olympic-style team and individual sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 70,000 family, friends and spectators. The Special Olympics USA Games will celebrate the Special Olympics movement, promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport and showcase athletes from throughout the U.S. and the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. The 2014 USA Games will also highlight Special Olympics’ work in sport, education, health and communities. Founding Partners for the 2014 Special Olympic USA Games include 21st Century Fox, Barnabas Health, HESS, KPMG, New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, Prudential, PSE&G, ShopRite, Toys “R” Us and WWE. Learn more about the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games at www.2014specialolympics.org and follow the Games on Facebook atFacebook.com/SpecialOlympicsUSAGames and Twitter @2014USAGames.