Andrew’s big step for Special Olympics

Andrew Hollis will step onto a big stage next year when he joins Team Indiana in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis.

For the 34-year-old Holland resident, the step signifies a move to do more for the program he has been involved with since he was nine.

“I was thrilled with excitement,” Andrew said about learning of his selection. “All my life, I dreamed of doing something bigger for Special Olympics, and this is the first step.”

Andrew needed to earn a gold medal at the state games in Terre Haute to be considered for the team as a nominee for the Track and Field event. The three events in track and field at his level are the 100-meter dash, the shot put, and the long jump.

Andrew did well for his age bracket, earning a gold medal in the long jump, a silver in the 100-meter dash, and a sixth-place finish in the shot put.

“I was so proud of myself,” Andrew said about his gold medal finish.

The gold medal qualified him for consideration for the Indiana team, through a random drawing of all eligible athletes. Fortunately, Andrew’s name was chosen, and he will join seven other athletes representing Indiana in the track and field events.

Andrew’s training for the USA Games begins this weekend at Rose Hulman in Terre Haute, where he will meet his coach and fellow Team Indiana members for the first time. The training camps will continue on a monthly basis, leading up to the June 2026 competition.

“I’m excited about my training this weekend for the USA games,” he said, adding that the indoor facility would be nice since it had air conditioning. “I’m not worried about it (training) a bit.”

A DC Comics fan, Andrew likes to listen to a certain selection from the Flash television show soundtrack. It’s called “I Have to Try” and plays as Barry, the Flash, is challenged to run faster than he’s ever had to in the first season. When Andrew trains at the Tri-County YMCA, he likes to listen to it as he runs around the basketball court.

“I listen to the song and when I get into that moment, I take off running around the basketball court as fast as I can,” Andrew said.

He recently saw the new Superman movie and said it was “Awesome!”

Andrew was diagnosed with autism at an early age. He lives with his parents in Holland but functions independently; one of the reasons he was nominated for Team Indiana.

“The athletes have to be independent and be able to take care of themselves,” Dubois County Special Olympics Coordinator Stephani Lane explained.

Andrew regularly walks the few blocks to the Holland Legion from his home. He works there three days a week as a custodian and comes in during busy times when they need help. He also mows the church lot next to his family’s home. He is attending classes at the Athlete University Leadership Academy offered through the Special Olympics, where he studies health and fitness to become an assistant coach.

When he isn’t competing, training, or working, Andrew likes swimming and taking walks to visit his sister, who also lives in Holland. At home, he enjoys watching Disney+ or playing video games. He’s a huge Star Wars fan and enjoys the video games set in the expanded Star Wars universe.

Andrew’s involvement with Special Olympics extends beyond competing. He served on the state planning committee last year for the state games. His theme suggestion, “Journey to the Heart,” was selected for the 2024 games.

He was also recognized as one of 55 athletes statewide during Special Olympics Indiana’s 55th anniversary celebration, receiving a special commemorative medal designed by his niece.

Jeff Mohler, the president and CEO of Special Olympics Indiana, hand-picked Andrew for the planning committee, his mom, Marilyn Heim, said.

His mother has been a state volunteer with Special Olympics since Andrew was 18. She said the organization has become like family to them.

“It’s wonderful to see these people who have disabilities are given the chance to compete,” she said.

She loves the unified, supportive attitude the Olympics promotes.

Marilyn supports the organization through various fundraising efforts, including making homemade jams and jellies, and donating 10% of the proceeds to the Dubois County Special Olympics. She and Andrew have also participated in events such as the Polar Plunge and plane-pull fundraisers. Andrew says he loves participating in the plane pull.

The family’s commitment to Special Olympics stems from the opportunities it provides athletes with disabilities.

“The most important thing I believe in Special Olympics is that as long as me, my friends, and everyone around the county support each other and work together as a team, all things can be possible to accomplish,” Andrew said.

“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,” he recited the Special Olympics pledge.

Andrew hopes to qualify for the World Games in Chile if he performs well in Minneapolis, although his mother jokingly said she would send his brother instead, as she doesn’t like to fly.

Community members can support Andrew’s fundraising efforts through a secure link available here, or by contacting Stephani Lane, the Dubois County Special Olympics coordinator, on the organization’s Facebook page.

Stefani explained Andrew was nominated for more than his athletic ability. “He’s a good leader to his fellow athletes,” she said. “He’s just got a great personality. He works hard at it. He serves on the Athlete Leadership Council. No matter what’s going on, he’s always happy. He’s there for the whole team.”

She hopes that Andrew’s selection is a way to highlight the local chapter’s athletes and activities. “I feel like this has taken us to the next level,” she said.

The program serves about 70 athletes in Dubois County for a variety of sports including swimming, basketball, bocce, cornhole, bowling, and track and field. She feels that Andrew’s success will inspire more athletes in the Dubois County program to compete at this higher level, as they witness his enthusiasm.

She also wants to see more people have their children be involved in the program because it’s an “opportunity for them to compete on a level playing field to their own abilities,” she said. “Because there’s no disability in Special Olympics.”