Written By Jeffrey Reed

LondonOntarioSports.com has named Special Olympics golf and floor hockey champion Chris Lauzon of London the winner of the 10th annual Jeffrey Reed Courage Award for 2025.
In late-2015, my wife, Beth, and I established the Courage Award in order to inspire Southern Ontario athletes and to allow them to tell their personal stories of courage to a large audience. As a disabled athlete living with numerous skeletal deformities, I have spent most of my life competing against able-bodied athletes. In 2000 and 2001, I accomplished what most people said was impossible: I pitched and coached with the London Majors of the Intercounty Baseball League. Later, I worked as a golf professional and long-time brand ambassador for Wilson Golf.
Lauzon, 40, lives with an intellectual disability and has competed in floor hockey and golf with Special Olympics Ontario – London for more than 20 years. In late-October 2024 he won the Gold medal at the Special Olympics North America golf championship in Wichita, Kansas. And in early-March 2024, Lauzon and his teammates with the London Blazers – representing Ontario at the Special Olympics – Canada Winter Games in Calgary – won Gold in floor hockey.
Despite the fact he is a Canadian and North American sports champion, Lauzon really shines off the playing field. On both stages, he never allows his intellectual disability to define him. Throughout his life, he has faced adversity – first, as a youngster, leaving his home in Saskatoon with his mother after she endured an abusive relationship, then in 2006 learning that his stepfather was killed by a drunk driver on Christmas eve.
Yet his infectious smile and laugh, bubbly personality, compassion for others and strong leadership skills are recognized by all, including his wife, Stacey, and their daughter, Khloe, 12, who lives with learning needs and plays floor hockey with George Bray Sports Association.”
A leader and mentor, Lauzon is a valued employee at Idlewyld Inn & Spa. He also established the Guardians and Gladiators podcast, a Special Olympics-based show he co-hosts with his floor hockey coach and golf coach/caddy Todd DeSilva, local Special Olympics public relations director and Chris’s support worker.
“Chris does not know the word, ‘No.’ He’s very driven and always wants to be the best he can be, no matter what he is doing,” said DeSilva. “He loves talking with people. He’s a leader and he knows what he wants to accomplish in life. He’s an inspiration to everyone.”
“I like the mission of the Jeffrey Reed Courage Award,” said Lauzon, “and I look forward to being a Courage Award ambassador. What Jeff did with baseball and golf is amazing! I love competing with Special Olympics – my teammates and coaches are a band of brothers. I just hope I can continue to inspire others.”

Award-winning writer
Jeffrey Reed has covered Middlesex County sports since 1980. He is publisher and editor of LondonOntarioSports.com. Reach him at
jeff@londonontariosports.com.