Springfield College Alumna Shares Her Passion for Special Olympics New Jersey
Tricia Hughes-Gray Siegel '94, G’95, had a moment to remember at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Summer Games.
By: Damon Markiewicz
For Tricia Hughes-Gray Siegel '94, G’95, experiencing the 2026 Special Olympics USA Summer Games felt like stepping into a world where teamwork, joy, and pure competitive spirit came together in the most powerful way.
The Special Olympics USA Summer Games are a premier national multi-sport event held every four years, uniting thousands of athletes, coaches, and volunteers from all 50 states to compete in Olympic-style team and individual sports.
“It was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life,” explained Siegel. “From start to finish, it was one of the happiest places to be. The way the athletes and families supported each other was truly inspirational.”
Siegel is a local training program coordinator for Special Olympics New Jersey. She earned her trip to this year’s USA Games after being selected as one of the coaches to best represent Team New Jersey at the games. Including athletes, unified partners, and coaches, she was one of more than 100 individuals on Team New Jersey who traveled to Minnesota to compete on the national level.
“I was so honored to have been chosen as one of the coaches for Team New Jersey,” explained Siegel. “As the head coach of my local team, we participate in eight or nine different sports during the year. I love being involved in Special Olympics and unified sports. It’s a special feeling to see the impact you can have on the athletes.”
Having the opportunity to experience the USA Games was not something that Siegel takes for granted. The USA Games event is the grandest of all stages for everyone involved with the Special Olympics, and it’s an opportunity for the entire country to witness what makes the Special Olympics so special.
“Every year, each state has its own regional state games, and every four years there is a national event,” explained Siegel. “The preparation starts years before the national games begin. Athletes who receive a gold medal in their sport at the state level get invited to try out for their state team that will compete at the national level. More than 1,000 athletes received gold medals and were invited to a training camp for Team New Jersey. A total of 500 accepted, and from there, 80 unified partners and athletes were selected.”
As Siegel and her teammates with Team New Jersey were preparing to travel to Minnesota for this year’s week-long unified games, they all received some good news about how their travel plans were taking shape. With more than 1400 miles separating Team Jersey’s base in the garden state to the land of 10,000 lakes, there was some assistance needed to make sure the athletes and families arrived safely.
“Most of our team flew on a private charter plane, so that experience in itself was so much fun,” explained Siegel. “There is a program through the Special Olympics where companies can donate their private jets to get the athletes to the USA Games. Team New Jersey ended up having two private jets and the athletes received the red-carpet treatment. When we landed in Minnesota, the athletes received free swag, and there was live music playing when they were getting off the planes. It made all of the athletes feel so special, and this really helped the teams get to the games in a special way.”
This year’s trip to the USA Games was extra meaningful for Siegel because not only was she chosen for her strong leadership skills and dedication to the Special Olympics, but she also enjoyed a proud parent moment and watched her son, Danny, compete at the national games.
“Danny was selected to Team New Jersey as a unified partner, and he received a gold medal at the games competing in bocce,” explained Siegel. “There was no better place to be to witness everything that is great about the Special Olympics and being a part of Team New Jersey. It has been a great year. In addition to the USA Games, I also had an amazing experience being the head coach for the Major League Soccer’s Red Bull unified team through the MLS partnership with Special Olympics.”
While at the USA Games, not only was Siegel a coach and a proud parent, but she also assisted as a volunteer. Siegel had the priveledge of taking part in a variety of seminars and workshops focused on leadership.
“At the games, they have a youth leadership experience where individuals can study about project management and leadership,” explained Siegel. “The idea is attendees can bring their leadership experiences back to their respective states. The youth leadership folks were split into four different roles at the games. One focus was an independent study where high school volunteers could learn about everything that goes into planning for an event of this size. It touched upon everything from how our athletes and families are able to get around to their events, to how attendees are being notified. I am a pediatric physical therapist, so my instincts are always focused on finding ways to make sure everything is accessible for the athletes. It was amazing to watch the volunteers make sure all of the athletes had everything they needed.”
Now that Siegel has had some time to process the experience, she can’t help but think back and appreciate just how special a week it was, and how blessed she is to have been a part of the USA Games.
“When you think back at the opening and closing ceremonies, you have the opportunity to really understand how special this event makes everyone feel,” explained Siegel. “The Special Olympics does an amazing job thinking of everything that the athletes and families need. As part of the opening ceremony, we walked in with 3,000 participants at the University of Minnesota stadium. Chairman of the Board for the Special Olympics, Tim Shriver, H’16, was the keynote speaker. When it’s all said and done, there were around 10,000 volunteers and 75,000 spectators for the week.”
Siegel’s commitment to service to others is deeply rooted in the Humanics philosophy at Springfield College. Siegel is a proud double alumna earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Physical Therapy at Springfield College.
“My career started at Mercy Hospital working for Kathy Pappas, who was also a great faculty member within the PT department at Springfield College,” explained Siegel. “As a student, I was president of my class. My husband Matt ’94 is also a proud alum. He was the Tarbell Medallion recipient in 2019. Matt’s sister Deb Kumar ’92 and his father Harry ’65 are proud alumni. So, Springfield College is very special to our family.”
And in true Springfield College fashion, Siegel understands what was really important during her journey to the USA Games.
“It’s always about inclusion,” expressed Siegel. “That is really what made this experience so special. It was a community of people coming together with the athletes and their families, and supporting each other in any way possible.”
Amazing alumni like this are proof of the power of a Springfield College education. Your support helps us continue preparing students to lead in service to others—true to our Humanics philosophy. Give today to support the next generation.
