Centennial Hills resident named Nevada’s Special Olympics Coach of the Year

By Christopher Drexel

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008 | midnight

For years, Bill Rohret had dedicated his free time to his children, James and Nicole.

He attended their football games, basketball games and choir performances. But after both children graduated from Palo Verde and left home for college, Rohret, a Centennial Hills resident, yearned for something to fill the void.

"My wife and I had empty nest syndrome," Rohret, 56, said. "We spent all our life with our kids."

One day during a church breakfast, a guest speaker informed Rohret about the opportunity to coach with the Special Olympics. Interested, he phoned the organization and volunteered his services.

He began coaching basketball then quickly added track and golf to his duties. Six years later, he is the head coach for the program's basketball and golf teams in the west Las Vegas Valley, overseeing about 40 basketball players, 20 golfers and more than 15 assistant coaches.

"Before I started, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be this involved with it," he said.

For his time and effort with the program, Rohret was voted the Special Olympics coach of the year for Nevada this summer.

Maggie Schwarz, the regional director for Special Olympics in Nevada, said Rohret was deserving of the honor.

"Bill is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, and he is so comfortable with the athletes," Schwarz said. "They range in age and ability but he is so supportive and patient."

Rohret found out about winning the award while at the opening ceremonies of a track meet on the campus of UNR.

"It totally blew me away," said Rohret, the superintendent of Angel Park Golf Club in Summerlin. "When they called my name, it didn't register at first. Then all the kids starting cheering and pulling me out of my chair. They wanted me to give a speech and I was speechless for the first time in my life."

Rohret's wife, Dian, said the couple has thoroughly enjoyed their time with Special Olympics.

"I think we get more out of it than the athletes — it's very rewarding," Dian Rohret said.

Bill Rohret said he enjoys nothing more than seeing not only the athletes, but also their parents, get enjoyment from the Special Olympics.

"I think we're really doing a lot of good for a lot of people, not only the athletes but their parents and caregivers," Rohret said.

The coach said he will continue coaching Special Olympics as long as he is able.

"The other day I was with an athlete that had a large disability and he sunk a putt after I'd coached him for five years. I thought 'Wow, that was worth the last five years coaching him to see him do that,'" he said.

Christopher Drexel can be reached at 990-8929 or [email protected].