Sports are part of Bryan Hyatt’s DNA. The 15 year-old from Greensboro has loved sports since he was a baby. He lives, eats and breathes sports. If he isn’t playing sports he’s watching them on TV or playing Wii Sports.
“He always carried around a ball when he was young,” recalled his mom Kathy Hyatt. “And he slept with a golf ball, a tennis ball, a football, any sports ball he could find rather than stuffed animals. But at first, he didn’t have the physical abilities to play sports anywhere until we found Special Olympics.”
Bryan has been competing in athletics, basketball, bowling and soccer for the past three years. He loves playing with his peers and getting the chance to compete.
“It was like a light bulb went off,” said his mom. “It’s uncovered so many skills and strengths he has. Special Olympics is his entire world and our family’s now too!”
Bryan’s parents have both become certified basketball coaches and they encouraged him to try distance running. They were surprised by how successful he was at running finishing a 1500m race in 7 minutes and 52 seconds. The success has inspired Bryan to run two 5k races locally. His parents just marvel at how Special Olympics has impacted their son.
“Bryan is a very social person but Special Olympics has really expanded his friend base,” said his mother. “We see people out in the community all the time that he knows from Special Olympics! And his self-esteem has really grown too. He’s so proud to have all his activities and friends and just to feel a part of a team.”
A huge Carolina Panthers fan, Bryan is still quite pumped up over how well this favorite team finished up the 2013 season. His family has season tickets to Panther’s games so he gets to attend a couple of games every year. He’s even written to Panther’s wide out Steve Smith and received an autographed trading card in return. He loves his Panthers but his family chuckles over his first-rate sportsmanship at games.
“Bryan often will cheer for the opposing team if they make a good play,” laughed his mom. “He’s such a good sport and just enjoys sports so much sometimes he just cheers for everybody. It’s great in Special Olympics but at Panther’s games we have to remind him he’s wearing Panthers gear and that the fans around him may not like his clapping for the opposition.”
There is no denying Bryan Hyatt is a true sports fanatic!
Congratulations Bryan Hyatt the 2014 Special Olympics NC February “Athlete of the Month”.
Favorites
Color– Carolina Panther Blue
Restaurant– ANY –he loves to eat out
Food– Buffalo Wings because they are spicy
Song– “Life is a Highway” from the Cars Movie
Video Game– Xbox Bowling
Sports Team– Carolina Panthers
