By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
A pizza party with bingo is always fun.
Ryan Hoag knew there was about to be more fun when a large group of his family members recently walked quietly into the Rose Garden Banquet Hall just as the party for Hays Special Olympians got started.
Hoag's family was there for a surprise announcement from two surprise guests.
Jason Jordan, the new programs and activities director for the Arc of Central Plains, introduced Brent Kaiser to the crowd. Kaiser held the same position for several years and recently accepted the position of development and sports coordinator at Special Olympics Kansas.
Kaiser brought Hoag up to the microphone at the front of the room and told him he had been inducted into the Kansas Special Olympics Hall of Fame.
Hoag has been been a distance runner for several years in Special Olympics. Just he and one other athlete competed in the 1500M and 3000M in his first competition. The next year, both races were filled with athletes who had been inspired by Hoag's enthusiasm and dedication to the sport.
Kaiser said Hoag is passionate and "has been a catalyst for reviving distance running in Special Olympics Kansas."
Another surprise came when Kansas Special Olympics President and CEO John Lair, Shawnee, presented the induction trophy to Hoag.
Lair told Hoag it was a "very, very special award and honor with less than 200 athletes in the hall of fame."
Lair also had praise for the entire Hays Special Olympics program.
"Everybody does so much out here, so I wanted to make sure I was here to congratulate Ryan."
"I joined Special Olympics 23-24 years ago, loved every minute of it," Hoag said, also thanking his friends and family and those who have helped him along the way.
After the ceremony, Hoag talked about the importance of staying fit.
"You have to run and eat healthy foods," Hoag said.
Noalee McDonald-Augustine is one of Hoag's coaches who has run other races with him.
"Ryan is such a great example and a mentor to other athletes," she said.
