Harold McCluney, right, was awarded the Roy Shelton 'Coach of the Year' award April 15. Harold McCluney, Adult Day Services Workshop Supervisor at the Cherokee County Disabilities and Special Needs Board (CCDSNB), was recently honored with the Roy Shelton "Outstanding Coach of the Year 2008" award at the Area 12 Special Olympics held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind.

McCluney has been employed by the CCDSNB for 24 years and has been involved in coaching Special Olympics athletes in Cherokee County for over 20 years. He has coached basketball, bowling and track and field. He has led teams to the States games and one team to the National games.

McCluney has volunteered his personal time to organize countless trips to Fort Jackson and other locations to ensure that individuals served by the CCDSNB had opportunities to compete and feel special about their unique gifts.

McCluney has spearheaded fundraisers for basketball uniforms, solicited local churches to allow athletes to practice in their facilities, and has provided transportation to athletes who needed a way back and forth to practice sessions. He continually encourages other staff members to get involved and support the efforts of Special Olympics.

McCluney has been an outstanding ambassador for the Special Olympics organization. Over the years, he has coached over 700 athletes and has donated over 1,000 hours of his time to Special Olympics related activities. McCluney and 19 athletes from the CCDSNB will be attending the State Special Olympics Games at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC May 2-3, 2008.

Area 12 Special Olympics offers approximately 13 sports during the year to some 1,300 athletes of Cherokee, Spartanburg and Union counties. Track and Field is the largest event and includes male track, female track, softball throw, developmental games and the standing long jump. This year's track and field event hosted approximately 650 athletes and 200 volunteers.

The Cherokee County Disabilities and Special Needs Board is REACHing out to others by Respecting, Educating, Advocating, Caring and Helping citizens of Cherokee County with lifelong, disabling conditions. The Board is located at 959 E. O'Neal Street and the phone number is 864-487-4190.