“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” With these inspiring words, Eunice Kennedy Shriver memorably opened the first Special Olympics Games in 1968 in Chicago’s Soldier Field.
NDHS alum Vic Battani (’58) is quite familiar with Ms. Shriver’s statement. He’s been involved with the Special Olympics since 1982. Participating in football, basketball, baseball, and track while at NDHS, Battani is no stranger to athletic competition. When he learned about the Wertz Warriors—a support group for the Special Olympics—at a Kiwanis meeting back in 1982, he recognized the organization’s commitment and didn’t hesitate to get involved.
The Wertz Warriors traverse over 900 miles across Northern Michigan on their snowmobiles each winter, raising both funds and awareness for the Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) winter games.
“Each rider must donate or raise a minimum of $3,500 for the privilege to participate in the ride,” Battani says.
The Wertz Warriors’ goal is to raise at least $500,000 each year. The group was founded by former Detroit Tiger great Vic Wertz, and has raised more than $9.3 million for SOMI since its first ride in 1982.
“Wertz Warriors combines two loves for me,” Battani says, “snowmobiling and helping others.” Battani has served on the Wertz Warriors board for nearly 25 years and as chairman since 2000. In addition, this go-getter has served on the Special Olympics state board for six years and as chairman for one.
Providing year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, the Special Olympics has given countless individuals opportunities to develop physical fitness, experience joy, and compete with other Special Olympics athletes across the United States and internationally.
Wertz Warrior snowmobilers are on their way in a recent run for the benefit of Special Olympics.
After Notre Dame, Battani went to the University of Detroit on a football scholarship. He majored in marketing and minored in accounting, areas that have served him well in his long and successful career in insurance and employee benefits. In 1996 he sold his own company, ABOW Insurance, to Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc., and has stayed on in the capacity of area executive vice president and registered representative.
Battani’s home life is equally rich and rewarding. He has been married to wife Linda for 49 years, and the couple has two adult children: a daughter who is a teacher in St. Clair Shores and a son who works in the design art and animation field.
All is not 100% rosy though for Battani these days, as he says one of the biggest challenges lately is finding new Wertz Warrior riders. According to Battani, the group has doubled from its original 31 riders and 15 support crew to nearly 60 riders and 30 support crew, but there’s always a need for fresh involvement and more support for the Special Olympics. Readers interested in knowing more about the volunteer group and its efforts are encouraged to visit the Wertz Warrior page on www.somi.org or Facebook.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.