Pat Oravetz named All Sports Association's Special Olympian

With descriptions ranging from infectious to heartwarming, Pat Oravetz’s ear-to-ear smile is renowned around the Emerald Coast.

Some could even describe it as award-winning, which would fit the bill for a man with already too many accolades to count.

“He’s the big smile guy and Mr. Social,” said Pat’s brother, Bill, who coaches Pat in many of his Special Olympics events.

Social and quite the athlete.

From bocce to bowling, from track and field to alpine skiing, Oravetz has built quite the resume during his more-than-a-decade-long involvement with the Special Olympics.

In fact, the 45-year-old has racked up more than 20 medals – ranging from gold to bronze – and an expanding collection of first- and second-place ribbons on the county, area and state circuit.

Which is fitting considering his response when asked about why he competes: “the medals.”

But his family and friends would argue his involvement goes far beyond the shiny mementos that are housed on the entryway wall of his Navarre home, where he’s lived with his brother and sister-in-law, Dawn, since 1998.

“He just loves to be around people,” said Clarence Oglesby, who, in conjunction with Fort Walton Beach’s Gifted Hands 4 Gifted People, serves as Pat’s companion. “He’s just a people person.”

Pat will have plenty of opportunities to make new friends Feb. 8 at the All Sports Association’s 44^th Annual Banquet at the Emerald Coast Convention Center, a venue where he’ll be honored with the Special Olympian Award.

“He was beyond excited,” his sister-in-law said of Pat’s reaction when he heard the news. “We had to call his sister and his brother out of state and everyone he sees we have to tell.”

The consummate team player with his unflinching bright temperament, Pat’s award is more a reflection of his versatility.

Originally a standout swimmer in Pittsburgh, the man who bleeds Steeler black and yellow on Sunday and Florida orange and blue on Saturdays has moved on to track and field sprints, skiing, bowling and his favorite sport, bocce.

“I think what makes Pat special is that’s he’s been so consistent over the years,” Oglesby said.

But perhaps his leadership and talent are most exemplified by his performance in 2010 on the bowling lanes at the Special Olympics Fall Classic in Orlando.

Down in the pin count late into the two-game match, Pat rolled four strikes to lift his four-man team to a gold medal in the state games.

“I’ve seen him bowl 185, 179 and 180,” said Oglesby. “It just depends on where his focus is at.”

Win or lose, though, one thing’s for sure with Pat: His smile just never seems to fade.

“He’s always been like that,” his brother said. “That’s just the person he is.”