Newton Athletes Unlimited offers high quality recreational programs to encourage physical, social, emotional and intellectual development to individuals with disabilities.
Our programs strive to expand our participants’ independence and improve their quality of life. We believe recreational activities should be accessible to all and are an integral part of the full and happy lives of our participants.
Newton Athletes Unlimited builds life-long friendships between our athletes, families, coaches, volunteers and sponsors. These friendships make Newton a stronger, more inclusive community.
In 1991, a group of parents formed the Newton Area Corporation for the Benefit of Special Needs Athletes, Inc. It is a 501 © (3) corporation that independently raises funds to support recreational programs for individuals with disabilities. In conjunction with the City of Newton’s therapeutic recreation program, over 250 athletes are now participating in Athletes Unlimited programs.
In 2013, the board of directors voted to update the name to Newton Athletes Unlimited to encompass the spirit of our participants and focus on their ability to do great things and make strides physically, emotionally and socially.
NAU relies on community volunteers for the success of the programming. Learn more about volunteering with NAU and get involved today!
Leadership
The AU Organization is run by a board made up of parents of participants, non-profit experts and community leaders working in conjunction with the City of Newton Parks & Recreation Department. The board meets quarterly to guide programming, plan fundraisers and decide how funds should be allocated.
Betsy Lynch DiSciullo is a managing partner at TCA Development LLC, a residential real estate development company she co-founded with her husband in 2012. Betsy holds a B.S. from Fairfield University and a MBA for the University of Massachusetts Boston, and is also a licensed construction supervisor and real estate salesperson in Massachusetts. She is the mother of three great teens, one of whom is an Athletes Unlimited participant and all of whom attend Camp Echo Bridge.
Betsy began her term as President of the Board of Directors of Athletes Unlimited in March of 2019 and looks forward to shaping the organization for the future. She lives in Newton with her husband John and can be found in her spare time running with her friends on Commonwealth Ave.
Pat was born and grew up in the City of Newton. She is and has been the scheduling coordinator for the Kevin Clancy Basketball Tournament for over 30 years. Pat is a graduate of Northeastern University where she majored in Recreation Education with concentrations in Therapeutic and Community Recreation. She was a professor and department head of Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Services at Mount Ida College in Newton prior to taking a full-time supervisor position with the City of Newton Parks and Recreation Department. From Newton, Pat became Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Sudbury, MA. After nine years in Sudbury she became the Director of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department for the Town of Westford, MA and retired from that position in 2017. Pat has always been active in sports, either playing, coaching, officiating, or teaching. Golf is her current “recreational sport”. She is also active in several plant societies and garden club.
Pat became the treasurer in April 2019.
Diane Conley lives in Newton with her husband, Jim Whalen, and their four sons. One of her sons, an Athletes Unlimited athlete and camper, has Down syndrome. Diane was an investment banker in New York and Boston.
Passionate about the rights of people with disabilities, Daniel is active in a number of nonprofit organizations, including Newton Athletes Unlimited and the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, for whom he ran the Boston Marathon in 2011. Daniel currently resides with his wife, Norah, and their three children, Gwen, Charlie, and Willa, in Newton, Massachusetts.
Gwen Fineberg is one of the original members of the board of what is now Athletes Unlimited. As a former member of the Newton Parks and Recreation Commission representing the interests of the special needs community, she continues her commitment after nearly forty years of involvement.
Monica has been associated with Newton Athletes Unlimited for more than 20 years. She worked at Camp Echo Bridge as a counselor and as the director. She has a sister, Bethie, who is an athlete and has been participating in NAU programs since the late 1980s. Monica has a Ph.D. in Public Policy from UMASS Boston and a B.S. from Smith College. Monica is the VP of Quality Management at Riverside Community Care, a behavioral health company providing services to 40,000 people with all types of disabilities. Monica has always thought of NAU as family.
Scott is the president and CEO of Mobile Medical Diagnostic Services – a mobile imaging company based in Newton, and servicing patients in several states. He serves on the board of the National Association for Portable X-Ray Providers. As a former school teacher of 13 years, he is certified in both regular and special education and has been involved with the Newton Parks and Recreation Department since 1983. Beginning as a volunteer CIT at age 12 with Camp Echo Bridge, Scott has worked as a camp counselor, and has coached special athletes in Track, Basketball and Swimming. Scott has witnessed first-hand the benefits of this incredible program as his brother Matthew has been a camper, athlete, and life-long participant of the program since 1981. Scott and his family are forever grateful and are committed to the enduring mission of the program.
Daniel Heffernan is a partner with the law firm of Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, in Boston and concentrates his practice in the areas of special education, civil rights, personal injury, medical malpractice, and children’s torts. His son, Brian, has participated in numerous Athletes Unlimited programs which have immeasurably enriched his and his family’s quality of life.
Andy is a EVP/Partner with CBRE – New England. Along with Dan Heffernan he has coached the Newton Tigers program through Newton Parks and Recreation for the past 20 years. The Tigers program runs athletic programs from September-June. AU helps with new uniforms, end of season events and various needs for new equipment.
Coming Soon
Josh is an AU athlete who enjoys participating in track, weight-training and basketball. He is very passionate about living a healthy lifestyle. Josh also works at Trader Joes.
While a Waltham resident, Karl has been an active member of the Newton community for over 30 years. Karl is the owner of two prominent family businesses, O’Hara’s Food & Spirits in Newton Highlands and Paddy’s Public House in West Newton. He is an avid supporter of Newton Athletes Unlimited and believes strongly in programs that focus on inclusion and enhancing the social, emotional, and physical wellbeing of all individuals. Along with a dedicated committee, Karl devotes a considerable amount of time each year to planning and hosting the Paddy’s Road Race, with 100% of the proceeds going towards Newton Athletes Unlimited. Karl takes great pride in his work with NAU and especially loves when some of the athletes come into the restaurants for dinner with their families.
Urmila Parlikar has been a Newton resident for twenty years. Her son, Ro, is a long-time Newton Athletes Unlimited athlete and Camp Echo Bridge camper who particularly loves yoga, Zumba, and dance parties. Urmila is an experienced consumer health communications professional. She works at Harvard Medical School where she creates actionable, audience-friendly health content. She has a master’s degree in science journalism from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College, Columbia University. Urmila and her family are grateful to NAU for the community they’ve created for athletes and their families.
Joe Prestejohn owns and operates his family’s business, Cabot’s Ice Cream and Restaurant, in Newton. He is an long time active member of the Newton community and has supported numerous Athletes Unlimited events for many years. Additionally, Joe is a vice president of the Board of Directors at the John M. Barry Boys and Girls Club of Newton. He is also a member of the Jewish Family and Children’s Services business advisory board to help individuals of varying abilities find employment. Joe serves as the advisory board chairman at Newton North’s Career and Technical Culinary Program and as the vice president at the Massachusetts Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Joe is honored to be involved in organizations that provide opportunities for all individuals to build feelings of independence, productivity, and self-esteem.
Alan Rao is a contracting officer technical representative (or COTR) at Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge and manages R&D programs for the U.S. Department of Transportation. He is well known for his advocacy for special education, transit accessibility and mobility on demand “free services” for people with disabilities. His daughter, Linda, is a proud member of Tiger Team with Athletes Unlimited programs since 2005. Newton Park and Recreation’s work is not only benefiting to the families of children with disability, but also to the volunteers and the community at large. Alan and his family want the world to know.
John and his wife, Joy, have been coaching in the Newton Parks programs since 1986. Their daughter Heather has been an athlete in the program for even longer. Both retired IT systems anaylsts/ program managers from Verizon. John has enjoyed the sport of running for over 30 years and has participated in a number of marathons. John has been the head coach of Athletes Unlimited largest program, track training, since 1988.
Michael Skiotis is a resident of Waltham who has been volunteering in the program with his wife Liz for the past 12 years and has coached track, swimming, basketball and weightlifting. He is a Global Director of Real Estate and Facilities for Cognex Corporation in Natick. He is also on the Paddy’s Race Committee and runs Falmouth Road Race every year raising money for the program. He has been volunteering for Special Olympics for over 15 years beginning in 1983 as a student at Boston University.
Newton Athletes Unlimited has teamed up with other local programs to provide a wide range of activities.
Mark Kelly
Mark is the Director of Special Needs for the Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture. Mark has a Master degree in Special Education from Boston University and a Bachelors degree in Recreation Management from Colorado State University. He believes when it comes to therapeutic recreation, the benefits are truly endless for everyone involved.
Miranda Morse
Miranda is the Special Needs Recreation Manager for the Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture Department. She has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Sports Management and has a strong background in both Special Education and Therapeutic Recreation. Miranda has been a Behavioral Therapist in various school districts as well as other nearby agencies. She has also served as a Field Services Manager for Special Olympics New Hampshire.