The Official Site of Misty May

What's New

Tue, Sep 2nd 2008, 12:38

Misty visits with Special Olympians

By Josh Katzowitz-avp.com
MASON, Ohio — She entered the hospitality tent Friday morning, where hundreds of her peers were waiting. When Misty May-Treanor, fresh off an easy second-round victory against Keao Burdine and Jennifer Snyder, made her appearance, the kids came alive.
Pizza was being served, but lunch could wait.

An Olympian, just like them, had arrived, and soon enough, they crowded around her, asking for autographs, pictures and hugs. Lots of hugs.

Last year, while competing in the AVP Crocs Shootout in Mason, May-Treanor visited with the Special Olympians of Hamilton County. She said there were about 100 kids involved. This year, she entertained about 150 of them. And May-Treanor seemed to love every second of it.

“I’m excited because those kids inspire me,” May-Treanor said after her and top-seeded partner Kerry Walsh dispatched No. 8 seed Carrie Dodd and Tatiana Minello 22-20, 23-21 in Friday afternoon’s third round.

“They always give it 100 percent when they go on the field or on the track. It’s my gift from one Olympian to the next. We’re all Olympians, and it’s nice to be able to share that with them. It’s very special.”

The Special Olympians certainly thought so.

As their pizza cooled on paper plates, they surrounded May, imploring her to sign their green Special Olympics T-shirts (many of her signatures originated on the shoulder, for some reason). If she wasn’t scribbling her name, she was posing for pictures — sometimes individually, sometimes in big groups.

As she moved from table to table, she shimmied her way to the next location, bumping behinds with one lucky dance partner, making goofball faces at the disposable cameras that barricaded her way and stopping every few feet to give hugs. May-Treanor apparently likes hugs.

“I do,” She confirmed. “A lot of the faces I recognize, and it’s so fun to see them grow every time I see them. They remember me. They came out here last year, and with the schedule, our games were running behind so they couldn’t see me play. It was nice they were cheering for us today. When I see them having a great time, that’s what I want — to be able to share it with them. I feel like volleyball has given me that platform. I’m very thankful for getting the opportunities that I have.”

Continue reading…


Yes, I’m interested in updates!

Comments

Liz Hiles, Director, Hughes Alumni Foundation | on 11/9/08

Misty,

Thanks so much for spending time with our students for a second year in a row. It was a truly amazing and most memorable experience for all of them. Hughes Center High School has a long history of including our special needs students in the daily goings-on here because we recognize that they have as much to give our community as all our other students. It is really nice to have a world-renowned personality such as yourself show them the same courtesy.

Thank you for all you do!

Jessica Martinez | on 8/9/08

Misty, you are truely what an athlete should be. I have keep up with the avp and olympics and was going crazy when you and kerri won !!!! Thanks for being such a good role model and for giving back. Good luck with the rest of the avp season or whats left of it lol wish i lived in california to catch a game. Good luck with dancing with the stars i got a group ready to call and give you our votes lol. Thanks for being who you are. Your humbleness leads to your GREATNESS!!!

Janet | on 8/9/08

Misty, Thank you so much for hosting the Special Olympians at the Mason tournament. It was awesome seeing you and Kerri in person especially so soon after your Olympic victory. It was even better seeing you interact with the Special Olympians. I love that you are able to see so much that you have in common with them…The love of sport and competition and the spirit to always perform your best. Good luck with everything…volleyball, family, and of Dancing with Max.

Jadyn | on 7/9/08

Misty, you really inspire me. I am young and i watch all the matches of yours i could and hope 2 c u in london and one day get 2 meet u mp, katie hoff, kerri, dara, and everyone else some time u rock my sox off! I will definitely watch dwts this season too!

Alysia | on 7/9/08

Wow Misty….I took the time to read the below msg’s sent to you from other fans and it just goes to show you how you are viewed by your fans and what an inspiration you are to us. You are definitely someone to look up to.

I was disappointed that the AVP tour this wkend was not televised however I did check out the stats and was sorry to hear of yours and Kerri’s loss. However….win or lose you are and will always be WINNERS in my book. This the schedule you and Kerri have had to carry since the “O” games, its a wonder to me how you both are even standing.

Keep on diggin, blockin, and KILLIN that ball and I look forward to watching you live in Manhattan beach in a couple wks.
Get some rest you two
Cheers :)

Rick | on 4/9/08

What a Women. Your a Warrior in my book.
Rick

Ted | on 3/9/08

I am so glad to see you doing these things…. Wishing you a lot of luck on dancing with the Stars. I am sure you will Dance your heart out…. I want the first baby pictures. Love ya Ted and the rest of The Wagner’s

Stacy | on 3/9/08

Misty,
You are so inspiring! I doubt there are many athletes as humble and generous with their time as you are. I work with kids with special needs and I’m sure your visit meant the world to them. Kerri and your victory in Beijing made me proud to be an American. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and get some sleep! I look forward to watching Dancing with the Stars :)

Janet Smith | on 3/9/08

Misty,
On behalf of the Special Olympians of Hamilton County, I would again like to thank you for a wonderful day. Our athletes (and coaches) had a great time. They were so excited that they could actually cheer you and Kerri on this year during your first game. They had such a great time talking with you, getting their picture taken with you, getting their t-shirt autographed and seeing your gold medal.
We will all be watching and cheering for you on Dancing with the Stars. All your friends at HCSO will be voting for you and Max.
You are #1 in our hearts!!!!

Abbey McKenna | on 3/9/08

Misty,
Thank you for your hard work with the Special Olympics. As a person who has William Syndrome i am glad that somone cares.

Daniel Yount | on 2/9/08

This is what heroes do. Not only a medal of gold but a huge heart as well.

Melanie Syx | on 2/9/08

How can I find Misty’s schedule? I would really love to see her and kerry play live and not on TV before they go have families.

Theresa Williams | on 2/9/08

I am surely the #1 fan of Misty!! The more I see & learn about Misty, the more impressed I become!!

I would selfishly love to have an autographed picture of Misty!!

Susannah | on 2/9/08

I’m glad Misty went to this. You know, it’s true the way those kids are. They are so happy to just be in a situation were they can show that they aren’t what everyone thinks they are. They are so much smarter and able than people imagine, and they like to prove that.