Bowling Green State University Athletics
Honegger Shares Her Talent
June 27, 2007 | Women's Track and Field
June 27, 2007
By Liz Sheets - Liz Honegger is no stranger to sports. As a member of the BGSU women's basketball and track programs, she knows that training is critical to maintain and improve her skills.
This summer, she is sharing her talents and love of sports with Special Olympics athletes from Wood County. This summer experience was made available thanks to the Dolores A. Black Special Olympics Internship. The fund was created in honor of longtime BGSU professor and Special Olympics Board member Dolores Black. "I talked with my (BGSU sport management) advisor (Ray Schneider) who suggested this internship," Honegger explained. "I wanted to take the things I learned in classes and put them to use," she added.
"Liz's duties are varied and include the development of news releases and newsletters to coaching athletes to coordinating our sports schedule for the summer," explained Special Olympics Coordinator Mary Sehmann. One of her responsibilities will be to organize the summer soccer program. "Her role will be to arrange for the practice fields, develop a practice schedule, coordinate athlete registrations and oversee the volunteers and coaches during the season. Sehmann noted (that) "it will be good experience for her to plan an entire program."
Honegger's long-term goal is to coach at the collegiate level. Sehmann feels that it is important for Honegger to observe coaches at all levels and to compare coaching styles. "She will attend various summer sports programs in the area (not all Special Olympics activities) that includes swim clubs, soccer clubs, baseball and softball. "These observations will help her see how different coaches interact with their players and to compare coaching techniques."
Honegger has already provided a positive impact on the program. "Liz is very organized and works very independently -- you can give her projects and know she'll take off on it. She's very focused on what she needs to do." Sehmann has also been impressed with Honegger's interaction with Special Olympians. "She's a people person," Sehmann noted. "Liz is getting to see that there are a lot of different abilities. She treats each athlete with respect."
Honegger traveled to Ohio State for the State Summer Games and witnessed first-hand each athlete's abilities. "It was fun and was a great experience," stated Honegger. "It gave me the opportunity to see the athletes compete against each other."
