HomeMy WebLinkAboutMillerAward11-03-10
Contact: Marty Doll, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • Fax 952-826-0390 • Web www.CityofEdina.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edinborough Assistant Manager Honored as Outstanding
Volunteer
Edina, Minn., March 10, 2011 – In February, Edinborough Park Assistant Manager Susie Miller
was honored as one of KARE 11’s “11 Who Care” award recipients. Miller was recognized for her
work in establishing Minnesota Special Hockey, a non-profit hockey league meant to give all
Minnesotans with developmental disabilities the ability to play the sport.
Miller says the idea for Minnesota Special Hockey struck in 2006 when she learned about a young
girl suffering from high-functioning autism on her daughter’s youth hockey team. Fearing that the
girl’s developmental disability would make it difficult for her to participate in the competitive sport
long-term, Miller promised the girl’s mother she’d find an organization that would allow her to
continue playing hockey. After learning that no such program existed, Miller says she decided to
create one.
“It’s been a lot of work, but it’s all been worth it,” said Miller, who served as the organization’s first
president and executive director. “Most of our players have siblings who have played hockey, and
they’ve spent their life in the bleachers. This organization gives them a chance to play.”
Minnesota Special Hockey began as a six-week spring program offered through the City of Edina’s
Adaptive Recreation office. With Miller’s guidance, it has evolved into a statewide hockey league
with five teams, over 80 skaters and a five-month long season. The non-profit organization is made
up entirely of volunteers, consisting of 20 coaches and an eight-person board of directors. The
league welcomes players with developmental disabilities of all ages.
Miller has worked for the Edina Park & Recreation Department for 13 years. As part of the “11
Who Care” award, which has been given by the local television station to honor outstanding
volunteers and encourage others to get involved in their community for nearly 30 years, Miller was
given $1,100 to be donated to a charity of her choice.
For more information on Minnesota Special Hockey, visit www.mnspecialhockey.org. For more
information on Edina’s Adaptive Recreation program, visit www.CityofEdina.com/Parks.
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