Michael J. Leener

SPORT:Basketball
CATEGORY:Athlete
YEAR INDUCTED:2010

Michael Leener has demonstrated extraordinary achievement in sports despite his disability. Over the years, he has participated successfully in the Montgomery County and Maryland Special Olympics. He earned a Special Olympics Gold Medal in 1986 by winning the Maryland State bowling championship. In addition, his basketball teams have earned several medals in regional and state Special Olympics competition including:

• Gold Medal: 2010 Montgomery County 3×3 Basketball Championship Team
• Silver Medal: 2010 Maryland Central Region 3×3 Basketball Team
• Silver Medal: 2010 Maryland State 3×3 Basketball Team

According to Jerry Leener, Michael’s father, “Mike’s most significant achievement has been his personal perseverance to accomplish many individual forms of recreation that physicians believed were beyond his competence, including rollerblading, swimming and shooting baskets. These accomplishments were achieved through many long hours of practice, patience and his personal goal setting.”