Clark County Press, Neillsville, Clark Co., WI

March 16, 2011, Front Page

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Special Olympian shares enthusiasm for the Cause

Special Olympics Neillsville athlete Jeff Knoll, pictured above with the 18 Special Olympics medals he has won during the last nine years, raised hearty $1,500 for Special Olympics Neillsville after collecting pledges for the Winter Carnival Polar Bear Plunge, held Feb. 26, 2011.  (Photo by – Nancy Halterman/Clark County Press)

By Peter Spicer

Neillsville resident Jeff Knoll has a passion for Special Olympics whether he’s competing in those games or fundraising for his next event – and he’ll allow others to touch the many medals he proudly wears around his neck if they generously donate to his worthy cause.

Knoll, 23, who is one of nearly 20 Special Olympics Neillsville athletes, has enjoyed each of the many Special Olympics events he has competed in for the last nine years; including snow-shoeing, shot put, long jump, bowling, the 200-meter run, the 4x100 track relay, the 4x100 snowshoe relay and other relays.

However, Knoll didn’t always have the same enthusiasm for Special Olympics fundraising.

Knoll lacked the confidence to ask others to contribute toward the cause and questioned whether fundraising was for him, said Special Olympics Agency Manager/Coach Dean Glaze, who is a special education instructor for the Neillsville School District and worked with Knoll for much of his school career.

Since that time, Knoll has gained more than enough confidence to ask others for donations – he raised $1,460 in pledges for February’s Neillsville Winter Carnival Polar Bear Plunge benefiting Special Olympics Neillsville.

“[Jeff] has really done a nice job getting out there and asking people [for contributions],” explained Glaze, who added, “It’s for a good cause.”

For a month and a-half before the plunge, Knoll sought donations from Neillsville residents, his friends at church and received contributions from many Neillsville businesses.

“I’ve been to so many [businesses],” stated Knoll, who is described as one of the friendliest guys around.

Knoll struck gold, so to speak, when he visited Neillsville’s Strike Time Lanes one Tuesday evening during Ladies Night.

After an introduction, Knoll – while wearing his many Special Olympics medals – stood on a chair next to one of the lanes and confidently stated, “For $10, you can touch my medals.”

The bowlers responded, donating over $100 in pledges for the plunge to benefit Special Olympics Neillsville.

Glaze credited area businesses for their generosity and explained all funds raised stay local and directly benefit Neillsville’s Special Olympics athletes.

Knoll has also mastered the difficult art of door-to-door fundraising, although he states it can be difficult. “It’s not exactly easy,” admitted Knoll.  “Some people do say ‘no’. 

What’s Knoll’s secret to fundraising success?  Well, in addition to his friendly demeanor and passion for Special Olympics, it might be the hard-earned 18 Special Olympics medals he often wears around his neck, including eight gold medals, seven silver medals, and seven bronze.

“I wear them like a badge of honor,” Knoll stated.

Knoll has reason to be confident about his improved fundraising abilities, because he overcame some of his athletic weaknesses, as well.

When Knoll was 13, his physical therapist informed Glaze, who had just welcomed Knoll to his class that school year, about Knoll’s inability to jump.

However, Knoll’s father purchased a trampoline for his son one summer, which helped him quickly overcome that obstacle.

Knoll is now “one of our best long jumpers ever,” explained Glaze, who added, “[Jeff] works hard at it.” 

Glaze also marvels at how well Knoll can jump, given his large physical size.

“Jeff is a good long jumper for a big guy,” said Glaze, who added when Knoll was in school, he trained every day for Special Olympics.

Outside of Special Olympics, Knoll works two days each week at the Clark County Jail’s food service department and has many hobbies, including playing video games, riding on his scooter and watching Professional wrestling on television.

Knoll recently competed in the Special Olympics Wisconsin State Winter Games, held in Wausau in late January.

Knoll is preparing for the Special Olympics’ regional track and field meet, held in Merrill next month.  He is hoping to qualify for the state games, which will be held in Stevens Point during the first weekend in June.

Knoll named the shot put as his favorite track and field event, because, as only he can say it, “[I] get to throw stuff.”

Knoll participates in his favorite track and field event, the shot put, during a Special Olympics meet.

(Contributed photo)