Miles joins newly created Champion Athletes

Susan Miles has laced up her running shoes for Champion Athletes of the Ozarks.

Miles is director of the new nonprofit organization formed in March. Champion Athletes of the Ozarks operates under the umbrella of Children's Charities and serves disabled athletes 5 years of age and older.

Its goal, Miles said, is to provide opportunities both on the field and in everyday life to athletes needing additional help in school or work.

"Champion Athletes of the Ozarks is established to be an enhancement to our athletes' lives," Miles said. "We want to be able to develop the whole person."

Dan Schumacher, president of the Children's Charities Board, said, "We formed the whole organization around Susan. We just think she'll be a great asset, and it's a privilege to have her involved with us."

Miles was Special Olympics Missouri, Southwest Area direc-tor until she was terminated on Feb. 13. She has been replaced by Robbie Bryan, who started April 8.

Miles said Champion Athletes of the Ozarks has opened doors for her, athletes and their families.

"This program is going to be athlete-directed. I work for the athletes," and they will have a voice, she said.

While the organization will report to the Children's Charities Board, Champion Athletes will have its own advisory committee made up of parents, coaches, volunteers and special education teachers. The working committee has 17 members, Miles said.

"We think that's a great opportunity, because the advisory committee will be involved (in the) hands-on, day-to-day running the organization, but there is also another governing board that will be very familiar with our program," Miles said. "We're very excited to work under the Children's Charities umbrella."

Miles' duties include program development and grant writing. She is researching grants and foundations she will target, and said most will be local. Champion Athletes of the Ozarks is not eligible for United Way allocations at this time.

Miles is the only paid staff member right now and is operating on a $71,000 budget.

She said an increase is planned for 2003 and she hopes to have an office by then also. Miles' 2002 salary is $27,000.

Miles projects around 900 athletes will be involved in the first year. She said there are about 100 volunteers, but she is looking to add more.

This year 15 sports will be available, beginning with the spring events of softball, bocci ball and ice skating, through a partnership with Jordan Valley Ice Park. An affiliation with Millwood will provide golf and tennis clinics for athletes.

"Through the sports training and competition, we want to build self-esteem and self-confidence, the life skills that our athletes need to be successful," Miles said.

Barbara Pohlenz, parent of an athlete and advisory committee member, likes the charity's focus on the individual as a whole, while understanding the disability.

"If you understand the disorder, you can help them manage it better," Pohlenz said. "We don't want them doing just sports. We want to be there for them."