While at North Penn HS Dan competed on the Track & Field team and lettered on the Bowling team. The intensive training and multiple opportunities he received at North Penn and in Special Olympics opened doors previously closed. Dan was able to transition into sports clubs and mainstream competition. In 1987-1988 Dan was elected and served as an associate board member of the National Down Syndrome Congress. As a member of Special Olympics from 1988 -1990, Dan competed in the Track & Field, Aquatics, Basketball, Equestrian, Alpine Skiing, Floor Hockey and Roller Skating, winning many competitions and medaling in others. He also competed at the World Special Olympic Games and 1989 was named Pennsylvania Special Olympics Male Athlete of the Year.
In 1993 Dan ran the Penn Relays Distance Classic at 20K. To date he has run in over one hundred 5K & 10K races and two half-marathons.
Dan has competed with the Pennsylvania Bicycle Club and has done the Manayunk wall climb. He cycled 1,100 miles stage in 11 days from Los Angeles to Santé Fe. In 1998 Dan was inducted into the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Hall of Fame and was also selected as a Global Messenger to the SPECIAL OLYMPICS.
Dan is honored to be inducted into the North Penn Hall of Fame. The intensive training and multiple opportunities he received both at school and in Special Olympics opened doors previously closed. Dan was able to transition into sports clubs and mainstream competition. In 1987-1988 Dan was elected and served as an associate board member of the National Down Syndrome Congress.
Membership in the Mid-Atlantic Association of U.S.A. Track & Field enabled him to compete in eight (8) races of the Gran Prix Circuits sanctioned races in Pennsylvania New Jersey and Delaware. These included 5K, 10K, 5 mile and 10 mile races. In 1993 Dan did the Penn Relays Distance Classic 20K. In 1996 he did the Delaware State Schweizers Pump & Run series. He continues to run and has been in over one hundred 5K & 10K races and has run two half-marathons.
As a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Ski Council he took part in downhill team racing at Blue Mountain.
The Pennsylvania Bicycle Club (PBC) welcomed Special Olympic cyclists into Criterium and Flyers Action Racing Series. This helped prepare him for the World Special Olympic Games in 1995. In June of 1993–1997 Dan cycled in the PBC sponsored Amateur Manayunk Wall Climb. This race is equivalent to a 17 story, 10 % grade, and the distance of one kilometer. Dan’s best time was 2:49 for the climb.
In 1995, The Exceptional Athlete Matters (T.E.A.M.) Organization sponsored an 8 month, 14 stage cycling marathon covering 13,000 miles through 16 countries. This event is an around-the-world challenge highlighting the exceptional athletes’ skills, talents and accomplishments. Dan chose to cycle the 12th stage. This stage comprised of cycling 1,100 miles in 11 days from Los Angeles to Santé Fe.
Since 1996, Dan has been training and competing in County and State Special Olympic Golf Tournaments. In 2002, he placed 1st in the P.G.A. sponsored National Special Olympic Unified Golf Tournament.
The year following graduation Dan worked at LA Crest Health Club. He also volunteered in the Inpatient Department of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. There he assisted the severely brain-injured patients in motor skill activities. Since 1992, he has been continuously employed at Clements Markets and Giant Supermarket.
