Special Olympics North Carolina announced on Apr. 30 that Fonz Hyman, a basketball athlete from Brunswick County, will compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis this June. The announcement is part of the organization’s “Carrying North Carolina With Me” series, which highlights athletes who exemplify pride and commitment as they represent the state on a national stage.
The series aims to show how local programming and community support play a crucial role in preparing athletes for major competitions like the USA Games. It also underscores how athletes’ ties to their home communities motivate them both on and off the field.
Hyman said he is excited about competing at such a high level, sharing, “I think just being there is exciting. Meeting new people, seeing the Opening Ceremony and everything the Games have to offer.” He added that his team plans to work hard together: “We’re going to play together. We’re going to work hard and do our best.” When asked what he hopes to bring home from Minneapolis, he replied without hesitation: “The gold.”
More than ten of Hyman’s friends and family members are expected to travel with him for support during the games. His mother Shelley Hyman remarked, “We’re literally bringing North Carolina with us… If we could bring more people, we would.” She described how Special Olympics has helped her son grow in confidence and leadership over time: “Watching his confidence grow has been amazing… Now he understands it’s about the team.”
Hyman credits his coach Sean O’Donnell as an important mentor who fostered growth among teammates through encouragement and positivity. Shelley Hyman emphasized her son’s transformation into a leader: “He wants to be a good leader for his team… He’s grown so much, and Special Olympics has been a huge part of that.”
As preparations continue for June’s competition in Minneapolis, Fonz Hyman says he looks forward not only to representing his state but also carrying with him lessons learned through years of teamwork and community involvement.
