Phoenix Special Olympics golfer named to president’s sports council
Dec 11, 2020, 5:00 PM
Amy Bockerstette smiles after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 22, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
PHOENIX – A Valley Special Olympics golfer has been named to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.
Amy Bockerstette, the first person with Down syndrome to earn a college athletic scholarship, according to Special Olympics, was among the 29 sports council appointments announced by President Donald Trump on Friday.
The council, which was created in 1956, serves a federal advisory committee to encourage youths of all backgrounds and abilities to participate in sports.
Bockerstette, who has Down syndrome, joined a variety of big-name sports stars in receiving a two-year appointment.
Baseball Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist Misty May-Treanor and Heisman Trophy-winning football legend Herschel Walker were named as co-chairs of the group.
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and championship-winning college football coach Urban Meyer are among the other prominent appointees.
Bockerstette graduated from Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Phoenix in 2018 before entering Paradise Valley Community College on a golf scholarship.
"Amy … you're our hero."
How a superstar named Amy teamed up with @GaryWoodland to win the hearts of the 16th hole crowd @WMPhoenixOpen.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/iRhZbvdjuP
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 30, 2019
She captured hearts across the golf world during a pro-am before the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open when she made par on the legendary 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale.
