John Hough
Lead by example... John Hough lives it and expects if from those around him.
When John started the AHS Special Olympics program 28 years ago, he knew his student-athletes would have to maintain the athletic reputation, tradition and high standards embedded in the Arrowhead legacy. John led by example, and today he is recognized as the top Special Olympics coach in Wisconsin, and his athletes have earned international respect and admiration.
Year after year, John takes a group of young people and transforms them into confident and independent individuals. He has learned how to use sports as a vehicle to success, independence and self-esteem, which transcends the boundaries of the classroom or the playing field – it is what ultimately benefits the students as they transition into the adult world and become amazing individuals.
John not only works with his current athletes, but he also maintains a place for Arrowhead alumni of his program. These former AHS Special Olympics athletes serve as mentors and role models for the younger athletes. They have become the cement that forms the foundation of Arrowhead Special Olympics.
Accomplishments:
- Volleyball – seven State Championships, six State Runner-up titles, 20 State Qualifiers, two National Qualifiers and one USA National Games D-1 Champions
- Gymnastics – 170 State Qualifiers, four World Games Qualifiers and three National Games Qualifiers
- Track – 340 Individual State Qualifiers and five National Games Qualifiers
- State Coach of the Year, plus John has had five Arrowhead students named State Athlete of the Year
- Selected as an International, National and USA Games Coach
In 2015, John received the State of Wisconsin Special Olympics Kasper Award, which is the highest honor bestowed upon a Special Olympics coach/volunteer. This award recognizes outstanding service and commitment, plus success at the regional, state, national and international Special Olympic levels. In addition, John was recognized for his service on the state’s Sport Advisory, Clinician Training and Sport Adversary committees, and his +25 years of dedicated service as the State Competition Director.
At Arrowhead, John is a special education teacher and the Café Arrowhead advisor. To help give his students real world experience, John created the Arrowhead Lobster Boil, an annual event that raises money for the Arrowhead Special Education Program and AHS Special Olympics. Throughout the years, John has received recognition for his hard work and dedication to Arrowhead, including Arrowhead’s Teacher of the Year, recipient of the Arrowhead Award (a career achievement award) and Arrowhead School Board special recognition.
