A Mount Vernon resident has been named 2015 Special Olympics Illinois Outstanding Coach of the Year.  Megan Clodi will be honored at a reception held today before the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games Opening Ceremony at Illinois State University in Normal.  The Outstanding Coach Award recognizes the coach who best demonstrates the true ideals of coaching profession, who leads by example and expects athletes to set and strive to reach goals.  As a coach of Special Olympics Illinois athletes, he or she must demonstrate both technical skills and personal commitment to the physical, social and psychological well-being of the athletes.  For the past 15 years, Clodi has dedicated her life to Special Olympics Illinois as a coach and advocate to the athletes.  In addition to her career as a coach, Clodi advocates for individuals with differing abilities at Mount Vernon Township High School.  In 2014, Clodi was the only coach in Illinois to be nominated for the SONA Coach of the Year.  Within Special Olympics, Clodi is an Athletic Director, multi-sport coach, Project UNIFY advisor and state committee member, student volunteer coordinator, and USA and World Games Soccer Coach.  In 2015, Clodi will represent Illinois at the World Games in Los Angeles as the Head Coach for Illinois’ soccer team.