St. Louis Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny and Michael Richerson, Special Needs Athletics director
JACKSON, TN — More than 1,000 people attended An Evening with St. Louis Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny, an event benefiting Special Needs Athletics. Held Jan. 8 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tennessee, the event raised money and awareness to help children and adults with special needs participate in sports at no cost to them.
During his speech, Matheny discussed his respect for athletes and individuals in various careers who invest the time to improve their skills. The theme of his overall message, however, stressed the importance of faith and service to others. He encouraged getting involved with Special Needs Athletics and contributing in the community through service. “I believe everyone in attendance was inspired and encouraged by Matheny to use their own platform to impact the lives of people around us,” said Michael Richerson, Special Needs Athletics director. He presented Matheny with a home plate signed by SNA athletes and volunteers following the program.
Michael Richerson, Special Needs Athletics director
Richerson added, “We genuinely appreciate all the community support given to Special Needs Athletics. The event could not have happened without the volunteers, sponsors and those who came out for the evening,” he said.
Matheny is known for being a tireless community worker. His foundation, Catch 22, shares a similar mission as SNA; it helped build baseball fields accessible to athletes
with special needs in St. Louis. In his book, “The Matheny Manifesto,” published February 2015, he shares his coaching principles of respect, ownership, self-motivation and no-nonsense sportsmanship.
Throughout the 2015 season, more than 350 athletes with special needs participated in various sports in Jackson and Selmer free of charge, including baseball, bowling, mini-golf and basketball. “No one sits on the bench in this league,” Richerson said. “Everyone plays with as much or as little help as is necessary.” Coaches and volunteer teammates provide on-field assistance.
Richerson founded Special Needs Athletics in 2009; it is a fund of the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation. More information about Special Needs Athletics is available online at http://www.specialneedsathletics.org.
Media Release/Tajuana G. Cheshier/Bramblett Group
