Bobby is thriving as a player – and as a person 

Bobby always believed in others, but it was time to believe in himself.  

For years, Bobby enjoyed playing basketball on Little City’s Special Olympics Green Team. The team is designed for newcomers or more casual play for those who may need a greater level of support. But Michael Cusick, Little City Director of Recreation Services and Special Olympics coach, said it was time to push Bobby to his potential.  

“Bobby has always had an openness to teamwork and wants to do his best to support his teammates,” Mike said. “Physically, he isn’t the most intimidating player, and I think that held him back, so I wanted to move him up to the Blue Team this year.” 

When the season started in October, it was a challenge for Bobby to keep up with the speed and physicality of his new teammates, but Mike said he started to see the hustle and confidence right away. And if the result of moving Bobby up to the Blue Team was the confidence and belief in himself that he developed, and that he so freely gives to others, the move would have been worth it.  

But moving Bobby up resulted in so much more.  

While the team was having a great start to the 2024-25 season, the team lost its first game of the year right before the regional tournament, threatening their confidence. Crumbling under adversity before the most important games of the season could have derailed what they were building.  

But Bobby’s positive and supportive attitude toward everyone was making a difference. 

“After that loss, the attitude could have been, ‘Oh no, we lost’ and all doom and gloom like it had been previously,” Mike said. “But their attitude was that they played well together, and they were resilient, especially Bobby who really became a leader on and off the court.” 

The team ended up winning the regional tournament and qualifying for the state tournament where they captured the state championship! For many on the team, it was their first state championship. 

For Bobby, it was a result of his ability to rise to the challenges and believe in himself.  

“The goal is always to have the team grow so they can thrive as people off the court, too, and apply it outside of basketball,” Mike said. “But to see how much they all flourished, especially Bobby, and to see them work so hard to become champions together was really special.”