Meet Coach Mark Schnurr
With more than 35 years of experience coaching year-round community sport programs with Special Olympics BC – Coquitlam, Mark Schnurr is one of 11 Special Olympics BC coaches on the Special Olympics Team Canada Training Squad preparing for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. A knowledgeable and skilled alpine ski instructor, Schnurr has played a significant role in the lives of many athletes and has created lasting memories through the movement.
Schnurr’s connection to Special Olympics runs deep. His involvement first began in 1988. “I needed volunteer hours for high school and my brother Evan was an athlete,” he said.
After completing one season with the Special Olympics BC – Coquitlam soccer program, he heard an alpine skiing head coach was needed. “I jumped at the chance, and the rest is history,” he said.
Schnurr actually met his wife through Special Olympics! Today, he says the organization has given him opportunities to create meaningful friendships, travel to new places, and spend time with joyful athletes.
The 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin will not be Schnurr’s first experience on the global stage. In 2017, Schnurr coached Special Olympics Team Canada in alpine skiing for the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria.
Schnurr’s favourite part about being involved in Special Olympics is the athletes he gets to coach.
“We are like a family on the mountain, working together to help each other improve to the best of our abilities. I have had the pleasure of coaching a lot of great athletes over the years,” he said.
“The other great thing about being involved with SOBC is I’ve been able to see the country. I have been to a lot of great cities across this country for National Games and training camps that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise,” Schnurr says.
Schnurr coached alpine skiing at 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary, and was joined by his daughter Isabelle as Special Olympics Team BC coaches! Watch their story:
He said working with Special Olympics BC athletes is a wonderful experience, and he wholeheartedly recommends getting involved as a volunteer or coach.
“If you’re thinking about getting involved with SOBC in a coaching or volunteering role, just try it; you will never regret it. I guarantee you will be back month after month and year after year. Working with these great athletes and coaches will bring a smile to your face each and every day you see them,” Schnurr says.
“Special Olympics has had a huge role in who I am today.”
He has made so many great memories with SOBC that he has considered writing a book with fellow longtime coach Randy Scott about their experiences. “We sometimes sit around for hours reminiscing about years past and sharing stories about our experiences until tears are rolling down our faces. Some of the tears are sad, but mostly they are happy tears,” he said.
Join us in cheering for Schnurr and the rest of Special Olympics Team Canada at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin from March 8 to 15!