Episode 41: David Breen
Rachel Kobus 0:09
Welcome to Redbird Buzz. I'm Rachel Kobus from Alumni Engagement. In our episode today we will get to hear from a true servant leader 1988 recreation management alum David Breen, Dave is a champion of inclusion as he worked for multiple decades for Special Olympics Illinois, serving the last 10 years as its president and CEO before retiring in 2023. For those that may not know Special Olympics, Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to a community of more than 55,000 traditional athletes, coaches, volunteers, and more. It transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Through his time at Special Olympics, Dave created Med Fest, a program that offers free sports physicals for students, and the first Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day in Springfield, Illinois, where 60 athletes and elected representatives participated in the First Law Enforcement Torch Run. His leadership has generated millions of dollars for the nonprofit and his connection to Illinois State has made campus the annual home for the summer games every June. It is because of all of this, he was recently awarded the Alumni Association's 2024 Alumni Achievement Award. So, what a privilege it is to have with us 1988 alum Dave Breen.
So, Dave, what's the word, Redbird? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
David Breen 1:33
Well, thanks, Rachel. Well, it's, it's been quite a journey, you know, and journey of inspiration, you know, having so many individuals, supposedly with disabilities that have really, I think, not only inspired me but inspired the world. And it's been great over the years, just having Illinois State as the home. It actually became the headquarters in 1977. So, we're really proud of that. But it's been great going growing up on a farm to, you know, where I'm at now has been, has been a really great journey. And as they say, and it's true for me, if you really enjoy what you're doing, you don't work a day in your life.
Rachel Kobus 2:12
I love hearing that. And, you know, I wanted to get us started because you do have a true passion, obviously, for Special Olympics, Illinois. And we talked a little bit about in the introduction, what Special Olympics is, but I did try to do my research. Special Olympics had its first games in 1968 in Illinois at soldier's field. And from that point on, it's grown, it's grown to encompass and make a lot of individuals thrive and grow and be in our communities be educated. So, can you talk more about how you've seen that yourself, too, with your time at Special Olympics, Illinois?
David Breen 2:48
Yeah, I think, um, you know, the, the growth from 1968, July 20, 1968. It started with, and I mean, this sincerely, usually, they say, if you're gonna get some done, give it to a woman, or a lady or female or whatever. I hate labels. So, I'm really bad at it. But so, it did start with it started with two ladies in particular, you know, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and, and Anne Burke. And then the third person really was an Illinois native Dr. Bill Freeburg. And so, 1000 athletes from the US and Canada. There, there were two sports that day, really swimming and track and field. And so, then you think fast forward to today, there are 6 million athletes around the world and 190 countries. So, the inspiration from back in those days has certainly grown, to a worldwide movement that happens at the grassroots level.
Rachel Kobus 3:48
Yes, no. And that's amazing. And thinking and how many individuals you continue to impact. But you know, we say the history started out with sports. So, I think a lot of people when they hear Special Olympics, they go straight to sports. That's, that's what our athletes do. That's what we push them to do. But there's so much more than that. So, can you talk more about the, you know, the mission, the vision, the values of how you're shaping the culture of integration, basically?
David Breen 4:13
Yeah, I think that in you know, one of the things in you mentioned, sports, sports to me is a universal language. And a lot of us, no matter how bad I am a golf, I like playing golf. So, a lot of sports, you can play for a lifetime. And I think that's where our athletes, you know, thrive is doing different things that make sense to them over a lifetime. You know, the thing that's grown to me has just, it, you know, kind of one of the themes that I think about is that it takes a village, and it really does, without a lot of these things our programs wouldn't have grown without the volunteers. And I am I'm very biased, but I'm very excited to talk about Illinois state's you know, involvement in that growth. And even today, Illinois State runs a program called SO College, where they pair with individuals with disabilities in the community and do sports, you know, do social activities. Those are the kinds of things that I think are exciting for me to see that that's been the growth because really, our athletes have gotten into the community because of everybody else allowing them to be meaningful in the community.
Rachel Kobus 5:18
No, and everyone has their place. So why not figure out ways to have pure integration? And, you know, I was, you've done several podcasts. So, I was listening to some of your other interviews and, you know, something you brought up. And I think a lot would understand that, you know, intellectual disability, those with intellectual disabilities face the same challenges of prejudice and discrimination, and a lot see those as challenges. But you can see those as opportunities to so they athletes, they're advocates, like you said, for the community, not just for the games. So can you talk about, well, what else have you seen as enlightening moments from athletes, families, communities that really knew your purpose for Special Olympics, Illinois. So, what really, you know, was that was moments of this is, this is amazing. This is why I want to go to work every day.
David Breen 6:12
Yeah, I think, you know, it's, for me, it started. I always get emotional about this, but uh, started on the farm. You know, when I was five, there was a neighbor, Brian, he had Down syndrome, and this is 1971. But I was scared because he didn't look like made an act like me. And my mom pulled me aside and she said, you know, he just wants the same things you want. He wants a friend. You know, he wants to be able to, you know, play with, you know, individuals, people like yourself from the community. And that hit me and then fast forward to ISU. I was going to school, Illinois State, during the happy hours doing everything else that probably wasn't as productive. But you know, what really hit me was I got the opportunity to work at SOAR with individuals with disabilities, and I was volunteering. And I started coaching volleyball and basketball. And that changed my life. It's, you know, I went when I was around the individuals who, by the way, five are still participating today. Oh, the ones that I coached in college. Oh, I know that’s shocking.
Rachel Kobus 7:20
Oh, that's amazing. Oh, no, that’s not shocking!
David Breen 7:22
We're still alive. Some of us are still alive. But you know, I showed up with a clipboard, a whistle, and I had no idea what I was doing. And they embraced me, and they taught me. And from there, I'm like, I love this. I love this population, this organization. They're the kind of individuals that we wake up. If we spill coffee on ourselves, our days are on, they wake up with a disability or head injury or cerebral palsy, and their courage and, and just their attitude about the day. I'm like, I gotta be around that.
Rachel Kobus 7:54
Oh my gosh, that's so cool. That's very enlightening. I love that. And, you know, just to hear those stories. And I'm sure you've seen many volunteers and many families that they get to embrace the same things you do, too, because they, they work with our, you know, those with intellectual disabilities and get to see them thrive and grow and really be a mentor, in a sense for others in the community that may not have to live with disabilities to show them a whole different path and how to, you know, live days to the fullest in a certain way. So that's a yes, thank you for sharing that. So I feel also, you know, learning a bit more about you, Dave, you take what we see from our athletes in Special Olympics, where they have a lot of challenges, but we create opportunities. But that's how you lead to you look at challenges, and you see them as opportunities for your staff. So how do you push your staff and I know you're retired, but so how did you push your staff to really see, there can be a lot of challenges coming up with this type of nonprofit work? How do we see them as opportunities? What was your leadership style like with that?
David Breen 9:00
Well, I, you know, I think, I think the inspiration we all got was from the athletes. I think the other thing is you try to break a very… which a lot of people don't understand Special Olympics is a very complicated organization being part of a worldwide organization. But you know, just to break them down. You know, one of the things we talked about was the big three, and you could put everything into the big three and strategy in terms of it was reaching more athletes, improving the services we're giving them, and raise more resources. Yeah. So if you do those three things, you're always kind of going to be on the right side. Right. And I think the other thing that we did was we created the SOA which really talked about how we're going to lead with our values and our ethics and our integrity. And as a person told me one time a mentor said, you know, the athletes are the ones that give the organization its credibility and its integrity. We're the only ones that can screw it up.
Rachel Kobus 9:59
That is very funny, that’s true.
David Breen 10:02
So that that that really stuck with me now. But I think if you start with whom we're serving, we have some of the best customers, in my opinion, in the world.
Rachel Kobus 10:12
No, that is a great way to see it. And really, you know, any team, that's why I wanted to ask that because we have so many great leaders, we talk on the show, and everyone leads in a different way. So to give advice, and for those that may have challenges that come up, how do you look at them as opportunities? So, I appreciate that from you, Dave, in really, you are a true servant leader. And I see everything you've done for Special Olympics, Illinois, we talked a little bit in your intro about Med Fest, about the Torch Run, it didn't mention Unified cup. Those all came from your mind, I believe in your leadership, at least. So, you've done a great deal for Special Olympics and for its athletes and volunteers. So, what's the most memorable one to you?
David Breen 10:53
Oh, wow, after 37 years, yeah, that's…
Rachel Kobus 10:56
Yeah, you can have two!
David Breen 10:59
You're a hard-hitting, you know, reporter questioner, you know, etc. But, um, you know, I, there's one story that sticks out. Really, in particular, and I don't know if it's maybe addressing the question, but, you know, one story really impacted me a lot. And it was the 1995 World Games in New Haven, Connecticut. And there was a delegation from Africa. And they'd given away cameras, the disposable cameras, which guys are too young for that.
Rachel Kobus 11:28
I owned disposable cameras as everybody.
David Breen 11:29
So, the interesting thing is like, there were a bunch of celebrities that are President Clinton, former President Clinton was there, Hootie and the Blowfish were there. But the African delegation had the cameras, and they were turned the opposite way. And so, one of the volunteers went down, and he said, “Hey, guys, I'm sorry”, and you know, and they spoke a little bit of English or their delegation had, “because you guys need to turn the cameras around”. And they're like, “No, if you turn them this way, they act like almost like binoculars so you can see better,” instead of taking a picture, they flipped them over. And they were almost like binoculars to see. Yeah, so it just struck me. And I love that story. Because you don't judge a book by its cover. And like, sometimes you really learn from people that other people think they have disabilities. But one of the biggest, two biggest programs, I think that we've done over the last 15-20 years. One is our Global Messenger program, athletes are trained to do public speaking, as a matter of fact, one of our athletes, you'll meet Daniel tonight, I hope Daniel does a podcast and he probably has now about 20,000 subscribers to his podcast. And he's amazing, but he was an international Global Messenger. And I'm gonna make sure I call Daniel out tonight. He's an amazing, amazing, young man. So, and then unified champion schools, you know, you mentioned unified earlier. And so now we're in 10,000 schools across the country, individuals playing together in sports, with and without disabilities, doing cool school community engagement. And then, as I mentioned earlier, SO college even is the next level, which is Illinois State is doing. So those have had the biggest impact. And I think they've had the biggest impact, Rachel, because now individuals are seeing, like one of our guys is now working at Google. And he's going to be hiring individuals with disabilities because of his great interaction. Yes. Because of Unified.
Rachel Kobus 13:30
And I that's why I think unified, simple term, but makes so much sense for opportunities like that, too. So that's amazing to hear. Because in 1970s, you know, when you first met, someone like Brian, that wasn't probably even a possibility, then and now we're seeing that it's, it is integration, and everyone is accepted for who they are. We're working towards that, and having people being able to talk through and really be unified and connect within our communities to so what a great thing to see. And for you to be a part of, like, you are, again, a huge part of this, Dave. So it's very great to hear these stories.
David Breen 14:07
Well, it takes so many people you know, and I think about all the volunteers, you know, worldwide using a million and a half volunteers and over a million coaches. But you're right, the impact, and I always say this, and I think it's true. You know, the individuals we serve are probably the most evolved people. They don't necessarily see right away like oh, that person is this color, their nationality, or the socio-economic? Yeah, I think that's the biggest thing that you know, you can kind of I've learned over the years is just the evolved nature that they have.
Rachel Kobus 14:44
So, I gotta rewind a little bit by saying you are receiving the 2024 Alumni Achievement Award from Illinois State University. Congratulations. But did Dave Breen see this as his path was he with his Parks and Rec degree? So, how go back to your college self, you talked a little bit about it, but did you see yourself retiring as CEO of a Special Olympics nonprofit?
David Breen 15:10
Not in a million years, Rachel, you know, I thought graduate, that's probably my key goal was graduate. I loved sports all my life, I saw myself at a park district, and Illinois State impacted me the other way. And I saw myself and I'm blessed to have four kids. Two of them went to ISU one went to Eastern, but we won't talk about that. One's going to be a paramedic. So, you know, I think that that has turned out way better than I could have ever anticipated. But again, it does, and I'm not being facetious about this. The professors who I'll talk about a few of them, they had a huge impact on me. And Illinois State showed me diversity. Now I grew up on a farm and went to a school that had literally no diversity. Illinois State told them taught me to look differently, think differently, or look at things differently. I shouldn't say think differently. But they challenged you and nobody was there going to get out of bed and go to school like it's on you.
Rachel Kobus 16:17
You graduated. Look at you now graduated from Special Olympics, onto your next career path and journey. And so…
David Breen 16:25
I want to say tonight, though, since we did punch cards in 1986-88, they probably couldn't get access to my transcript. So that might help them. Okay.
Rachel Kobus 16:35
All right. That's good to know. I'm sure they were fine. Well, you know, my last question for you, Dave, is you said, you’ve done so much as a servant leader, and you retired in December of 2023. So just recently, and so punny enough, you've passed the torch along just like in any Olympic sport, pass it to your next leader of Special Olympics, Illinois. But what do you see for your future now that you've close this chapter in your life?
David Breen 17:03
Well, well, my future, you know, I think Special Olympics will continue on and be successful. You know, I'm working with a few other groups already. My family doesn't really want me to spend a lot of time at home. But I am staying in the same field. I'm working with Special Olympics International a little bit. And I'm also working with an individual out in Arizona, that's building a community development for people with disabilities or helping raise money. So, I really enjoy the group that I've worked with. And I'm going to continue to do that.
Rachel Kobus 17:41
Well, you have the expertise. And again, you've seen so not to again, date yourself, but you have given decades of your life to serving others and you know, being a part of this culture. So why not continue to give, that's what a servant leader does.
David Breen 17:54
We all should be here to give back for sure and help each other.
Rachel Kobus 17:57
Well, thank you, Dave, so much, and congratulations again on your award. We look forward to seeing more of what's to come from the debrief.
David Breen 18:04
Well, thanks for having me. It's been it's been a pleasure.
Rachel Kobus 18:16
And that was 1988 Parks and Rec alum and servant leader Dave Breen. Thanks for listening to Redbird Buzz and tune in next time for more stories from beyond the Quad.