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Copeland named Special Olympics coach of the year




Jennifer Copeland (back row, right) stands with her bowling team during the state tournament at Smyrna Bowling Center. FILE

Jennifer Copeland (back row, right) stands with her bowling team during the state tournament at Smyrna Bowling Center. FILE

In a special message on Twitter, Special Olympics of Tennessee named Jennifer Copeland as its coach of the year. 

Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans head coach, announced Copeland won coach of the year via video on Twitter. Vrabel’s video to honor Copeland was part of the opening ceremony for the virtual summer games for the Special Olympics.

Copeland, who works at Harpeth High School, has been a part of the Special Olympics for at least the last 15 years, and she specializes in skiing, snowboarding, volleyball, track and field, basketball, bowling and flag football. 

In the video, Vrabel said the Special Olympics coach’s patience, understanding, perseverance and positive attitude are things he tries to emulate every day. 

The Special Olympics of Tennessee had to hold virtual summer games this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the opening ceremonies were held on Zoom while athletes sent in videos of themselves completing their fitness challenges. The challenges included anything from push-ups to holding a plank.

With the cancelation of the summer games, to which hundreds of athletes look forward to competing in every year, the Special Olympics found a way to keep the spirit of the games going. 

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