When Jordan Schubert first picked up a basketball as a kid in the Chicago area, he had no idea how far that first dribble would take him. Introduced to Special Olympics in fifth grade, his mom signed him up for basketball “as something to do in the fall.” What followed was a lifelong journey defined by sport, confidence, leadership, and ultimately, a job offer.
“I didn’t really know what I was getting into at the time,” Schubert said. “But from sixth grade on, I have loved every moment of it.”
His passion for basketball grew, and while he also tried bowling, soccer, floor hockey, and softball, the hardwood remained his home with one of his most cherished memories happening when he won his first gold medal on his mother’s birthday.
Youth Empowered, Leaders Inspired: Jordan Schubert
Jordan began playing basketball with Special Olympics in the fifth grade. This small action eventually became a regular part of his life and eventually developed into a passion he pursued.
Special Olympics helped Schubert grow far beyond athletics. “It helped me academically,” he said. “I got better grades and made more friends.”
Schubert’s leadership journey took off in high school, when he was selected to attend the 2010 USA Games National Youth Summit. That opportunity led him to champion Unified Champion Schools initiatives in Illinois, and later, as a member of the National Youth Activation Committee after moving to Pennsylvania.
From there, Schubert’s relationship with Special Olympics deepened. In 2013, he interned at the organization’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., working with the User Experience (UX) team and supporting departments across the office. “Whenever I got my own work done early, I’d help other departments wherever they needed,” he said.
That same summer, at a staff conference in Charlotte, Schubert met the President & CEO of Special Olympics Pennsylvania and learned about an upcoming job opening. “I applied as soon as my internship ended and got it a couple of months later,” he said.
He started part-time during college as the Athlete Leadership Coordinator, essentially supporting the department’s daily operations. But just two months in, a staff transition pushed Schubert to take on more responsibility. Balancing a full academic course load with his job helped him sharpen key professional skills, prioritization, delegation, independence.
After graduation, Schubert was promoted to full-time. A year later, he took on an expanded role as Manager of Athlete Leadership and Young Athletes. “Young Athletes was such a meaningful addition,” Schubert said. “I wish that had been around when I was younger, I would’ve started Special Olympics much earlier.”
Today, Schubert’s work centers on developing and supporting athlete leaders across Pennsylvania. He helps individuals set goals, plan speeches and appearances, and connect with regional staff. He also leads statewide trainings and recently helped launch a recognition program to celebrate athletes going above and beyond.
Through it all, he continues to apply lessons learned on the court. “A lot of principles I’ve learned from sports, teamwork, resilience, reflection. I try to apply those to my job,” he said. “Be a team player. Stay steady. Always strive to improve.”
Schubert still competes, too. He played basketball at the 2022 USA Games in Orlando. That experience, coming out of the pandemic, only deepened his appreciation for the mission. “It made me value what I do and what others do so much more,” he said.
For Schubert, working at Special Olympics is about more than a paycheck.
“I think the biggest thing I’m proud of is the relationships I’ve built with athletes, volunteers, colleagues. People know I’ll listen, and I know they’ll listen to me. That means a lot.”
Jordan Schubert
He also believes firmly that hiring athletes is not about checking a box. “If other sports organizations value people with lived experience, why shouldn’t we?” he said. “Athletes bring insight that makes everything better. We don’t have all the answers, but inclusive collaboration is how we build a better future.”
“Inclusion to me means one,” he added. “It doesn’t matter what word you use—unified, inclusive—it’s about seeing each other as one.”
