For the last 50 years, Special Olympics Minnesota has championed inclusion by promoting social change for people with intellectual disabilities in athletic, health, and school programs. Their work has touched lives across the North Star State, making Minnesota a more equitable and inclusive place in meaningful ways.

To celebrate these phenomenal Special Olympics athletes and their families, Red Baron Pizza and Minnesota United have teamed up to honor these athletes and family members as the Red Baron Family of the Game. Together we are able to share something awesome and champion change in our communities. Check out some of our past honorees' stories below.

Jenna Perkins, Danny Striggow and Family

Jenna and Danny serve as Honorary Co-chairs of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games which will be hosted in the Twin Cities June 2026 bringing together approximately 4000 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners from across the United States to compete in sporting events hosted at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center.

Date Honored: June 22, 2024

The Greenwood Family

Anne, Dave and Zach, have been actively involved in Special Olympics since 2012. Zach, has participated in equestrian, basketball, track & field, bowling and swimming representing the St. Croix Trailblazers, the St. Louis Park Blues and the Minneapolis Eagles. His father, David, has coached Zach and the teams at each of these sports. David has jumped for the Polar Plunge each year to raise money for Special Olympics and the Minneapolis Eagles.

Date Honored: June 22, 2024

Blake, David, Shauna Hillman and Family

Blake is a multi-sport Special Olympics athlete who plays for the Rochester Flyers. He also played adaptive soccer in high school and was a captain for the Rochester Raiders. He led his team to a third-place finish at state and is now a volunteer coach for the Raiders. With him are his parents Shauna and David and aunt Lisa Hauser. Shauna helped develop and coach the Youth Special Olympics Program in Rochester. Lisa has been an active volunteer with Special Olympics for over eight years as a multi-sport coach, Polar Plunge fundraiser, and competition volunteer.

Date Honored: June 1, 2024

Austin, Nolan Coffey and Family

The Coffey family has been involved with the Wild West Delegation of Minnesota Special Olympics for many years through coaching, participating as unified partners and supporting fundraising efforts. Being involved in activities year-round has created a lasting bond between the Coffey family and the athletes, as well as their families.

Date Honored: May 18, 2024

Arianna Bohannon and Family

Arianna participated in adapted sports at White Bear Lake High School from 7th to 12th grade playing softball, floor hockey and her favorite sport – soccer and first got involved with Special Olympics by playing for the Minnesota United Unified team in 2023 and is looking forward to tryouts for another chance to play in 2024.

Date Honored: April 27, 2024

Jeff, Emily Garness and Family

Jeff and Emily have been involved with Special Olympics MN for over 10 years. What started off as a random volunteer opportunity has turned into a lifetime passion. Both Jeff and Emily have competed as Unified Partners with local delegations and Jeff was even chosen to play as a Unified Partner for the MN United Team in 2019! Special Olympics has become a family affair where Jeff, Emily, Greta and George continue volunteer and spread inclusion in their community.

Date Honored: April 6, 2024

Drew Hennen and Family

Drew has been a Special Olympics Athlete since 2014. He currently plays Soccer, Floor Hockey, Snowshoeing, Basketball, Track & Field, Swimming, Golf, Bocce’ Ball and Bowling for the Savage-Prior Lake Lakers – Special Olympics Delegation along with Ice Hockey for the MN Wild Special Hockey team. This April he will be going to Salt Lake City, UT with Special Olympics TEAM USA to participate in the Team Trials, preparing to compete in the Special Olympic World Games for Snowshoeing in 2025. Special Olympics is a family affair where the entire family has had a chance to become a either a unified partner with Drew, a coach or has joined him in participating in the Polar Plunge each year.

Date Honored: March 16, 2024