THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 29, 1997 TAG: 9701290470
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: JEFFREY S. HAMPTON, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: 67 lines
As a freshman at Northeastern High School 15 years ago, Patton McDowell volunteered to help at a Special Olympics event, and that changed his life.
The experience followed him while he majored in English education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a Morehead Scholarship.
He served an internship with Special Olympics, and, after graduation, took a job in Washington with Special Olympics International.
Later he became program director for North Carolina Special Olympics and has been instrumental in bringing the world games for the handicapped to Raleigh in 1999.
He has just taken a new position as director of athletic fund raising at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and he has returned to volunteering at local Special Olympics events.
``The best part of it all is working with the athletes themselves,'' McDowell said from his office in Wilmington. ``We're helping a population that doesn't get a lot of opportunity, period.''
McDowell attributes his involvement to Sandy Davis, director of Special Olympics for 16 counties in northeastern North Carolina.
When McDowell was a high school freshman, Davis was the cross country and track coach at Northeastern and a local director of Special Olympics. He required the team to help with the Special Olympics events.
``Patton was a very dedicated young man,'' said Davis. ``He was a good people person. I could see that gleam in his eye that said, `Hey, this is pretty neat.' ''
Ironically, when McDowell took the Special Olympics job in Raleigh, he became Davis' boss.
``The cycle was complete,'' said Davis.
Davis said McDowell has helped the state's Special Olympics program become a model program throughout the world.
``Patton has done things that other states and countries have patterned themselves after,'' said Davis. ``He's a super young man.''
McDowell was a three-sport athlete at Northeastern High School.
In his new job, McDowell is responsible for raising money for the UNCW Seahawks athletic department.
``I think this job is a growing process for him,'' said Davis. ``With his talent, drive and ambition, he'll be athletic director one day.''
McDowell, humble about his accomplishments, admits he wants to remain in athletic administration and says this job will ``broaden his resume.''
``I believe if you do your job and do it well, opportunities will open for you. That's something I learned at home.''
McDowell's parents are Pat and Diane McDowell of Elizabeth City. His father is an engineer and chairman of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County School Board. His mother is a long-time school teacher.
``Children have to learn to be caring,'' said Diane McDowell. Each of her four children has been involved in Special Olympics. Her youngest son, Bryan, is also a UNC-Chapel Hill graduate and recently took a job with N.C. Special Olympics.
She attributes much her children's altruism to Davis and other teachers at Northeastern High School. ``Parents can't do it all.''
Patton McDowell met his wife, Cindy, while working in Special Olympics and now has a 15-month-old daughter.
He often returns to Northeastern High School to speak. His words are influenced by his experiences in Special Olympics.
``I tell the students, it's not just about academics,'' said McDowell. ``Get involved with other things. If they will get involved and set their minds to achievement, there is great potential.'' ILLUSTRATION: McDowell
KEYWORDS: PROFILE