Corso's special recreation work honored by state Print
Corso's special recreation work honored by state
By David Heitz, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Addison Press

ADDISON, IL -

During her 10 years at the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association, Beth Corso has done everything from coaching basketball games to planning dances and social events to organizing Special Olympics track and field competitions for athletes from all over the area with special needs.

Corso, a senior recreation coordinator at the association, was awarded earlier this year with the Professional of the Year Award by the Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section, part of the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association.

Corso said she was honored, and a bit surprised, she won the award. She was recognized for outstanding programing and service, according to the state association.

“It was a nice recognition, and my family is really proud that I won it,” she said.

The Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association, based in Addison, provides recreational services for people with disabilities. The organization, founded in 1976, provides more than 600 recreation programs and services for both children and adults with disabilities, spokeswoman Lonna Converso said. The organization provides programs such as wheelchair sports, the DuPage Pro League for children with behavioral disorders, the Kids Klub program, social clubs and Special Olympics sports, she said.

At a glance

Beth Corso, senior program coordinator at the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association in Addison

Age: 35
Family: Married, one child
Residence: Naperville
Hobbies: Spending time with family, playing with her dog, playing softball

The association operates as a consortium of 11 area park and recreation districts, including the Addison Park District — which it shares facilities with at Centennial Park — and partnering with the Bensenville and Wood Dale park districts.

In her role with the organization, Corso serves as coordinator of many of the group’s programs, including the Special Olympics sports programs.
Right now, her focus has been on the organization’s basketball team, which was playing in a state tournament earlier this week.

“I have coached many of our teams over the year, such as basketball, softball, volleyball and baseball programs,” Corso said. “I don’t do as much of it anymore, but it is very enjoyable.”

In addition to coaching, Corso also organizes one of the association’s biggest annual events, the Special Olympics Track and Field Meet, which this year will be held May 19.

“This is one of our most popular events; we get dozens of athletes of all ages who participate,” Corso said. “It’s a very awe-inspiring event.”

Other upcoming events this year include a Booster Club Bocce Ball Tournament June 8 and the annual Sweetest Day dance in October, all of which Corso said she organizes.

“Much of what I do now is in the organization and planning end, and less of the coaching end,” she said.
For more information on the association and the programs they offer, call (630) 620-4500 or visit www.nedsra.org.