Special Olympics Athlete of the Summer: Ray Caliendo

By Lauren Kirschman

Ray Caliendo still remembers the goal his son, David, made during his ninth year of floor hockey competition in Special Olympics.

David was playing at the state games and when a shot rebounded away from the goal, he seized the opportunity to bury the puck into the back of the net.

David, a 26-year-old athlete, has been competing since he was eight years old and that goal particular is still one of the Caliendo family's favorite memories.

"It was one of those moments where I was like, 'Was that David?' Ray said. "I don't think he could have jumped any higher."

David isn't one of the ultra-high functioning athletes, Ray said, and often has a difficult time when the competition amps up. That's why the goal at the state games is such a special memory for David, Ray, and David's mother, Lee Ann.

"The other coaches, the other athletes, the people in the stands… everyone just erupted," Ray said. "It's like they knew something special just happened. That was a real electric moment."

Lee Ann said that David often exceeds the expectations of those around him when he's in "competitive mode."

David's competitive nature isn't surprising, since both Lee Ann and Ray played sports and passed that quality on to their son. David also works hard and takes instruction well and can never get enough practice, Ray added.

When asked how often his practices swimming every week, David replied, "Not enough."

Ray and Lee Ann are Pittsburgh natives, but raised their children in Dayton, Ohio. David started competing through his school while living in Ohio but when the Caliendo's moved back to Pittsburgh, they found the closest Special Olympics site.

The Caliendo's are members of the North Star Specials of Special Olympics Allegheny County. The North Star Specials is the only site in the area that has floor hockey, one of David's favorite sports.

David currently competes in golf and swimming, but has played soccer, track, and basketball in the past.

Ray coaches Special Olympics floor hockey and golf and their 2010 floor hockey team won the gold medal at the Special Olympics Pennsylvania state floor hockey tournament. David was the self-appointed captain of that team.

Despite all the success David has found in Special Olympics competition, Ray said that "far and away" the least amount of focus is placed on winning.

"It's about the camaraderie, the exercise and the sportsmanship," Ray said. "If we win that's just gravy."

Outside of the Special Olympics, David lives with his parents and works at Good Will in the South Side. He's worked there for five years.

David's also a Pittsburgh sports fan. He's a Penguins season ticket holder and he has followed in his alumni father's footsteps in becoming a big Pitt sports fan.

"That's my school," he said of the Panthers.

But that's not the case for the entire Caliendo family.

"I went to West Virginia and my daughter went to West Virginia. Ray went to Pitt," Lee Ann said. "So that's a rivalry, but it's not vicious. It's fine. It's fun."