Tyler Schwartz:
Q: When did your interests in soccer start? A: When I applied for the Colorado Springs Special Olympics, I was given an application on which sports I might be interested in. Soccer seemed right up my alley.
Q: How would you define success as an athlete? A: Overall, I would say that depends. I believe my own success is measured by that of the entire team, who have been there for me through thick and thin. Without their support, I doubt I would be where I am today.
Q: How do you stay motivated as an athlete? A: The best way to stay motivated is by showing up to practice every week, staying hydrated, and making time to exercise during the week.
Q: What is your favorite sports memory? A: The fondest memory I have of being on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks team was our victory against the Rapids in the Summer of 2022. It left a few of us in tears.
Q: What are three things you like about being a part of the Switchbacks Unified Team? A: Arguably the three most important things, which are that it gives us all an opportunity to improve our skills, help raise money, and encourage others to exercise.
Q: What are your favorite sports teams? A: My favorite sports teams are the Colorado Rockies, Colorado Avalanche, Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Springs Switchbacks, and the Colorado Rapids.
Q: What do you like to do outside of soccer? A: My favorite thing to do outside of soccer is to play video games and walk the dogs.
Q: If you were an animal, which animal would you be and why? A: If I were an animal, I would probably be a wolf because it is my spirit animal and I have a pack mentality. Being able to trust my teammates is important.
Angel Rodriguez:
Q: When did your interests in soccer start? A: When I was 3 years old
Q: How would you define success as an athlete? A: Understanding the game, dedication and being open- minded on the field
Q: How do you stay motivated as an athlete? A: My family keeps me motivated and the love I have for soccer
Q: What is your favorite sports memory? A: In the fall when I played goalie and we made it to state
Q: What are three things you like about being a part of the Switchbacks Unified Team? A: Meeting new people and the opportunity to learn more soccer skills
Q: What are your favorite sports teams? A: My favorite sports teams are switchbacks, club America, psg, man city
Q: What do you like to do outside of soccer? A: Spend time with family and playing video game and working
Q: If you were an animal, which animal would you be and why? A: I would be a cheetah because I like to run fast
Orlando Ortiz:
Q: When did your interests in soccer start? A: I started soccer when I was 13. I played baseball then all my friends started to play soccer and I gave it a try and I loved it.
Q: How would you define success as an athlete? A: If I’m feeling good and I am smiling and kicking the ball that is success to me.
Q: How do you stay motivated as an athlete? A: I always try to find the good in all and see there’s other ways to get better because the more I grow the better for my mind and heart
Q: What is your favorite sports memory? A: I remember when I scored with my left foot and I am not a lefty but it was a really good goal.
Q: What are three things you like about being a part of the Switchbacks Unified Team? A: The players, the coaches, and the opportunities to travel
Q: What are your favorite sports teams? A: I like Manchester United
Q: What do you like to do outside of soccer? A: I love challenging myself I’m doing a Iron man in September
Q: If you were an animal, which animal would you be and why? A: I would be a dolphin because when they come out of the water the people say wow and I love wowing people
Peer Partner Yaletzi Rodriguez:
Q: When did your interests in soccer start? A: I guess I was born to be a soccer player. Since I can remember I have always been a soccer player. When I was 4/5 years old my parents put in Little Kickers and since then I have always been in soccer and have loved it. It was in my blood. My maternal grandfather was a soccer player and father and his brother (my uncle) are soccer players so you could say it is in my blood and I was meant to be a soccer player.
Q: How would you define success as an athlete? A: The way I would define success as an athlete is when the athlete knows they have done everything they possibly can to get better and is happy about the progress they have made and are proud of the skill they have developed.
Q: What is your favorite sports memory? A: My favorite sports memory is when I was on my high school unified soccer team and we went to Grand Junction to compete in the state summer games. We were losing a game and my team was feeling down. My coach was like “I wish I could make them feel better” so when I was subbed off I tied my cleats together and fell and acted as if someone else on the team did it and they were all laughing and smiling. They weren’t upset anymore and that was the best feeling.
Q: What are three things you like about being a part of the Switchbacks Unified Team? A: The ability to teach others competitive soccer, the chance to create new friendships, and making an impact in professional soccer, that anyone can play professionally
Q: What are your favorite sports teams? A: The Colorado Avalanche, the Mexico Men’s National Team, the Women’s USA Team, Club Santos Laguna
Q: What do you like to do outside of soccer? A: I like to work out, watch movies, hike and stargaze.
Q: If you were an animal, which animal would you be and why? A: I would say a dragon like the one in “How to Train a Dragon” specifically a night fury. That is because they can fly, they are fast, can breath out fire, and are scary and strong but still kind and loving creatures that you can’t believe they are dragons.
Coach Mike Reavey:
“What got me into coaching in general was my love for sports, and specifically for the Special Olympics unified team was my love for helping out and so my friend Teresa ward who used to be one of our coaches had asked for help in coaching her son Ryan’s soccer team and so that was my first opportunity to see the Special Olympics world and I fell in love from day one and ever since then I’ve loved coaching soccer and basketball for the Special Olympics”.
Reavey says: “I motivate the athletes by showing and giving them positive reinforcement and letting them know that they can accomplish anything. They just need to be told that they have the skills to do it if they put their mind to it. I just push them to do their best and I try to make learning skills and practice fun so that they don’t even realize they’re you know maybe pushing their limits and it makes you know doing what they do is enjoyable.”
What I like most about coaching the Switchbacks unified team would have to be the family that we have created and the partnership with the Switchbacks and Special Olympics. These are amazing athletes that just want to feel included and this Switchbacks Unified Team is all about inclusion and I just love that everyone here gets along so well with each other and we are showing other teams in the USL and just people in general what can be accomplished when we just give people a chance. The joy and energy the athletes bring just brightens my day every time I see them and I live for that joyfulness every week.
I grew up in San Diego so my all time favorite sports team would be the San Diego Padres and I grew up being a fan of the San Diego Chargers but when they moved to LA a few years back I no longer was a fan. Now living in Colorado I have become a huge fan of the Colorado Avalanche, the Denver Nuggets and the Denver Broncos. Part of that love of the Nuggets has come from my good friend Yariv who actually helped spearhead the creation of this Unified team.
Just for fun: We ask the question: If you were a cartoon character, which would you be?
If I were a cartoon character I would have to go with Goofy because I just love to laugh and make jokes and have a good time. I try to bring that goofy fun personality to practice to make sure we are all having fun while working hard at the same time and so goofy definitely probably would be who I would want to be as a cartoon character.
Meet Our Partners:
David Largent from Big O’ Tires:
Big O’ Tires is a tire retail franchiser and an auto service corporation in North America and they are the largest corporation of the continent.
“I have a lot of love for our city and outlying communities. So many people and businesses here in Colorado Springs have been influential in my success. I love when opportunities arise for us to give back. When I was approached by the Unified Switchbacks for sponsorship and heard Yariv’s story, I knew I wanted to help fill the hearts of the players and let them know people are with them. The other dealers of Big O’ Tires Colorado Springs share the vision to provide opportunities and inclusion in the sport of soccer to people with all abilities. We look forward to continuing our support and watching the Unified team grow! Thank you for this opportunity to make a difference for these players and the game.”
