Search

Lisa Noble has been an active participant in Special Olympics for 10 years, competing in basketball, Unified volleyball, tennis, athletics, and bocce. Her journey with Special Olympics has been transformative, helping her step out of her comfort zone, develop leadership skills, and embrace opportunities she never imagined possible. Lisa values the camaraderie and support within the Special Olympics community, where athletes uplift and inspire one another to achieve their best both on and off the field.

David Booth, an inspiring athlete and community advocate, serves as an Athlete Representative on the Board of Directors for the 2026 USA Games, bringing his dedication to the mission of inclusion and passion for sports to the forefront. Originally from North Dakota, David now lives in Richfield and is an active member of the Special Olympics Minnesota community, having been involved for the past five years and now serving on the board.

Shaun Linsey is a dedicated Special Olympics Texas athlete with nearly 13 years of involvement in the organization. Competing in a diverse range of sports such as golf, kayaking, sailing, cheerleading, volleyball, and tennis, Shaun finds immense joy in making new friends through sports. His passion lies in inspiring and encouraging fellow athletes, fostering team spirit, and recognizing everyone’s accomplishments.

Learn more about how to become a donor.

Learn more about the story behind the logo and rallying message of the Games.

Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games! No matter what role you play, you’ll be a part of making history as the 2026 USA Games will be the largest humanitarian event ever held in Minnesota.

Tracy Tish brings over 30 years of experience from Accenture, US Bank, and as an international consultant to the leadership team. As Chief of Staff for the 2026 USA Games, he orchestrates executive-level guidance, fostering cohesion within the leadership team, and ensuring alignment with key Games milestones.

Learn more about one of the country’s largest sporting events in 2026.

Chris Gade is the Vice President for Communications at the University of Minnesota, where he leads strategic marketing and communications efforts to elevate the University’s reputation and engagement across local and global communities. With nearly 40 years of experience in public affairs—including over three decades at Mayo Clinic—Chris has played a pivotal role in shaping communications, branding, and executive visibility for leading institutions. His tenure at Mayo Clinic included serving as Chief Public Affairs Officer, where he oversaw media relations, government engagement, and thought leadership strategies, as well as leading the development of The Mayo Clinic (2018) documentary by Ken Burns. He later brought his expertise to Rush University Medical Center in Chicago before returning to Minnesota. Chris holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School and an undergraduate degree from Luther College, where he now serves on the Board of Regents.