By Anita Todd
LAKE WALES – For ten days this month, he enjoyed being called “Coach Mike” by the 4-member bocce team representing Florida at the Special Olympics USA Games Minnesota 2026. The team brought home three gold medals, three silver medals, and one fourth and one fifth place in bocce.
For Mike Lunsford, his final promotion in his 40-year careerwith the Polk County Fire and Rescue Department made him“Chief.” The hard-earned and well-respected title of battalion chief was important but not as much fun as “Coach Mike.”
Lunsford was one of 1,500 coaches, 4,000 athletes, 12,000 volunteers and 75,000 fans from all 50 states who traveled to Minnesota to come together for the Games. Featuring 19 sports, the Games shined a light on the abilities and strengths of people with intellectual disabilities, according to the Special Olympics website.
“The team responded well to me. It was a little bit daunting because there’s little contact with them during the year,” Lunsford said. “But they warmed up to me calling me Coach Mike.” The medals and honors the team brought home were a culmination of different events including doubles, singles and unified teams.
The team members were selected from applicants from all over the state. Lunsford was only able to get together with them a couple of times before the Games. This is simply because members are scattered all over the state making getting together hard. However, their regular coaches continued to work with them to prepare
Like the athletes, Lunsford was one of dozens who applied to be the leader of the Florida bocce team. Being named coach allowed him to mark it off his bucket list.
“These Games teach young people how to play but also sportsmanship,” Mike said. “Pam (his wife) and I teach to play strictly by the rules. You must live by the rules in sports and everywhere else too.”
The Lunsford’s, who live in Lake Wales, got involved in the organization when their son began participating at nine years old– 23 years ago.
“This is a high honor to be selected as the coach,” Mike said.
Their son has participated in numerous sports but in 2022 he was selected to go to the Special Olympics games held in Orlando that year. There, he earned a gold medal in bocce. Bocce ball is a popular outdoor game that blends skill and strategy, often enjoyed in backyards, parks, and specialized courts. In bocce, participants – either as individuals or teams – take turns throwing bocce balls with the goal to land them as close as possible to a smaller target ball.
“We told Joseph to choose two sports that he liked and was good at,” Pam said. “We wanted him to excel at two and be more focused.” Joseph, now 32, chose adaptive golf and bocce. He has also played softball, baseball, bowling and corn hole.
For these Games, Joseph and Pam had to stay home and watch Mike (Dad) and the Games via live stream. When asked what Joseph thought about his Dad being the coach, he simplified it with one word: “Awesome.”
Pam, a retired registered nurse, said they see the rewards that participating in the Games provide.
“We see the reward – not only with our son but with other Olympians.”
The Lunsford’s said that coaching the athletes is a community effort working together for their good. Winter Haven Police Department Sergeant David Keigan is also a coach.
In addition to volunteering as “Coach Mike,” he often helps outat their church and tries to follow a quote: “If you take anything from your community, you are obligated to give it back.”
The Games are held every four years and Lunsford said that it was an amazing experience just to attend – let alone coach.
“I don’t care what sport it was, when they (the athletes) weren’t on the field, they were best buddies,” Lunsford laughed. “But, on the field they were all business. We could all take some lessons from them on sportsmanship.”
For more information about Special Olympics, visit specialolympics.org.
