COLUMBUS SPORTS
COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD

Dr. Dawn Anderson-Butcher is a professor in social work with affiliation in human sciences (kinesiology) at The Ohio State University (OSU), where she co-leads LiFEsports and directs the Community and Youth Collaborative Institute (CAYCI). Dawn is a leading scholar in youth sport research, having just co-authored our country’s first ever National Coach Survey in partnership with Nike and other funders. Through LiFEsports (previously NYSP), each year over 800 young people throughout Central Ohio learn leadership and life skills through sport. She also helps lead Coach Beyond a state-wide agenda to improve interscholastic sport experiences in Ohio in partnership with the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). As part of CAYCI, Dawn also works with school districts in Ohio and across the country to improve student mental health and school-family-community partnerships. Most recently this has involved work with Dublin City Schools to “Grow Your Own” school social workers, a creative workforce development strategy designed to address the behavioral mental health workforce. Dawn has published over 100 journal articles and generated over 16 million dollars over her career. She is a Fellow in both the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare and Research and the National Academy of Kinesiology, and a Research Fellow in both the Society of Health and Physical Educators and the Society of Social Work Researchers.

Dawn grew up her entire life in Ohio, graduating from Turpin High School in 1988. While at Turpin, she was involved in many activities (e.g., student council, school sports, chorus), benefiting from many positive youth development experiences which have influenced her work today. After high school Dawn went on to play soccer in college, then earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Miami University. She completed her PhD in sport psychology at the University of Utah, and is a licensed clinical social work worker in the State of Ohio and a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with Association for Applied Sport Psychology. Dawn resides in Dublin, Ohio with her spouse, C.D., sons, Andrew and Austin, and dog, Rookie. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being physically active (e.g., golfing, walking) and mentoring students and young people.

Theresa Berner, MOT, OTR/L, ATP is an occupational therapist and Rehabilitation Clinical Manager at The Ohio State University Medical Center. She has over 31 years’ experience in Seating and Positioning and Adult Neuro Rehabilitation. Theresa has been certified by RESNA as an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). She is responsible for Assistive Technology center and the Adaptive Sports Institute. She is also a clinical instructor at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at OSU. Theresa is a member of the Clinician Task Force and is appointed to the United Spinal Board of Directors. She is Founder and Chair of Amputee Soccer Program in Columbus with the American Amputee Soccer Association She is a member of the Adapted Athletics working group for the Ohio State University to increase access and programs for athletes with disabilities. She serves as Clinical Advisor and Executive committee member for the OSU Student organization and Adapted Sports and Wellness Group. Theresa has participated in presentations across the country at many national and international conferences. Theresa received the 2016 Academy of Spinal Cord Injury TLC Distinguished Clinical Award, the 2017 OSU Medical Center Values in Action Award and the 2022 RESNA Samuel McFarland Memorial Mentorship Award.

Borned and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area, Rachel Muha moved to Westerville, Ohio in the early 1980s with her husband and two young sons. Their family became members of St. Paul the Apostle Church where Rachel went on to volunteer teaching religious education classes, volunteering at St. Paul school, starting a youth group program for students and collecting food and clothing for parishioners and the general community.

In 1999 Rachel’s 18-year-old son Brian was murdered. Rachel and her family's lives were forever changed through the senseless act of a random home invasion gone wrong. Through her act of forgiveness and wanting to bring good out of evil Rachel & her family began the Brian Muha Memorial Foundation and in 2005, The Run The Race Club, an after-school center for inner city children and young adults on Columbus’ west side. That has grown into an outreach to all families in the Hilltop and Franklinton area, two of the most violent neighborhoods in Columbus. The Foundation has a food pantry, clothes and appliances distribution, a Make A House A Home program, a Farm to take the children to, sports, parties, holiday giveaways and more. Rachel works every day at these ministries without monetary compensation. She says, "This is the most heartbreaking and the most joyful work I have ever done."

Photo credit: USA Blind Soccer / Axios Columbus

Katie Smith is the Ohio Blind Soccer Coach and PhD Candidate at The Ohio State University. Ohio Blind Soccer started in 2018 after she attended a Blind Soccer camp through the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA). The group started with just a couple of athletes and has grown ever since. There are currently 8-10 teams playing blind soccer within the USA, but there is a push for growth on the grassroots and national level. Katie has coached for multiple development camps and clinics within the USA through USABA and became the first ever National Team Head Coach. The sport is growing with hopes of the national team competing in the LA28 Paralympics. With the collaboration of USABA and Columbus Parks and Recreation, Columbus is one of the few teams who has promise and growth within the sport. She hopes for blind soccer growth to continue within the Columbus Area. Katie is currently finishing up her PhD at The Ohio State University to continue her work in blind sports and recreation.