Third installment in the SONC “Carrying North Carolina With Me” series
“Carrying North Carolina With Me” celebrates the deep pride our Special Olympics athletes feel as they represent North Carolina on the national stage. It reflects the countless hours of training, the commitment shown in their local programs and the determination that has brought them to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. This series will follow athletes whose journeys embody the spirit of North Carolina—showing how their connection to home fuels them in competition and how our programming supports them every step of the way, both on and off the field.
When Dean Hall steps onto the powerlifting platform at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, he’ll lift more than weight. He’ll lift 20 years of dedication, a community that has shaped him and the pride of representingNorth Carolina on the national stage.
Dean’s story begins at home in North Carolina, where he grew up moving between the Piedmont, the Triangle and even the coast. He first joined Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) two decades ago, starting out in track and field before discovering the sport that would become his passion and anchor: powerlifting. He began lifting in 1999 “as a way to get healthy,” he says, but it quickly evolved into something more. It became a source of confidence and a meaningful outlet. “It’s simple, easy to do. It’s my stress relief,” Dean said. And while lifting 425 pounds might not sound easy to most, for Dean it’s where everything quiets down — just him, the bar and the focus he’s worked so hard to develop.
Over the years, SONC programming has shaped Dean as both an athlete and a leader. He proudly calls becoming a team captain one of his greatest lessons, learning to listen, be patient and meet athletes where they are. Those strengths carried naturally into his role on the Athlete Leadership Council, a forum of athletes from across the state who meet quarterly to provide input to the president of Special Olympics North Carolina. Dean has served on the council for four years and now holds one of its highest leadership responsibilities.
Sherry Paul, Athlete Leadership Facilitator for SONC, has witnessed that growth firsthand. “He has come into his own as chair this year. He has grown in confidence and skills. Our council is in great hands with Dean leading the way.”
Leadership for Dean isn’t symbolic; it’s hands-on. He works directly with athletes, teaching them to navigate challenges and helping them stay positive. With a grin and the wisdom of someone who understands pressure, he sums it up simply: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
That sense of responsibility extends far beyond the gym. For nearly seven years, Dean has worked four to five days a week at Jersey Mike’s while balancing his rigorous training schedule. His supervisors are “super excited,” he says, to see him return to the USA Games, his second appearance after competing in 2018. With Jersey Mike’s serving as a national sponsor of the Games, the support he receives stretches from coworkers and franchise owners to the wider corporate family, giving him even more pride in carrying North Carolina with him.
That same encouragement is echoed by the David G. Wilhelm Foundation. Longtime family friend Patrick Wilhelm has followed Dean’s journey for decades, and the foundation’s support of SONC’s powerlifting team is personal. “Supporting Special Olympics just made sense for us. It’s something my brother would’ve been proud of,” Wilhelm said. Their involvement honors Special Agent David G. Wilhelm’s legacy as an avid weightlifter while uplifting athletes who share his drive and dedication.
As Dean prepares for the 2026 Games, his goals are clear: stay calm, focus on the lift and “be brave in the attempt.” He hopes, of course, for gold. But more than anything, he hopes to represent North Carolina with pride, humility and work ethic. He laughs as he says, “Ain’t no rest for the wicked,” a fitting motto for someone juggling leadership, employment and elite athletic training without missing a beat.
North Carolina is home for Dean not because of geography, but because of community. The coaches who know him best. The coworkers who cheer him on. The athletes he mentors. The foundation honoring a friend and public servant. And the supporters standing behind him as he carries their shared spirit into competition.
This March 25, you can join that community too. Find a store near you and visit your local Jersey Mike’s on their Day of Giving, when 100% of sales will be donated to support athletes like Dean on their journey to the USA Games.
Because when Dean Hall lifts, North Carolina lifts with him.
