OTHER AWARD WINNERS: The Pioneer Award: Ben Petrick, former Colorado Rockies catcher, recognized for his contributions to the community, in particular for his work with those living from Parkinson's Disease. Leadership Award: Mike Wheaton, current commissioner of the National Wheelchair Softball Commission, honored for creating awareness of individuals with disabilities. Dedication Award: Robert "BJ" Nanney, volunteer with Special Olympics Colorado for 20 years -- volunteers for over 100 events a year. Rockies Award: The Carpenter Family -- Lynn, Mary, Dave and Doug -- devoted over 30 years to assisting the local and national disabled community in various capacities. 2005 Hal O'Leary Award: Gabriel Diaz de Leon, U.S Paralympics.  

ABOUT HAL O'LEARY: Mr. O'Leary is the founder of the National Sports Center for the Disabled. In 1970, O'Leary was a salaried ski instructor at Winter Park when he volunteered to give a one-time ski lesson to 23 children with amputations. That ski lesson turned into the NSCD. Today, the center annually teaches 3,000 participants sports ranging from downhill skiing and snowshoeing to rafting, biking and horseback riding. O'Leary has been a leader and an inspiration to many, as he continues to have day-to-day involvement in the Center.