It was a family affair at the 2024 Special Olympics Unified Sports All Star Soccer Game, when siblings Isaac and Ellie Mollish were the very first Special Olympics Athlete and Unified Partner to represent St. Louis CITY SC in the game.
17-year-old Isaac has been apart the Special Olympics program for a few years, mostly involved in basketball. At the suggestion of Special Olympics Coach Kirk Halveland, Isaac joined Special Olympics Missouri’s local soccer team. 21-year-old Ellie currently plays center back for Missouri Baptist University’s women’s team and has been involved in programs such as Best Buddies and the Special Needs Soccer Association (SPENSA) for years. After her brother joined the Special Olympics soccer team, she volunteered to be a Unified Partner.
“All it took was one event where we got to play soccer together and I fell in love with the program and the ability to play with Isaac,” said Ellie.
Before they departed for Columbus for All Star activities, the three St. Louisans and their families were special guests at CITY SC’s home match vs. Vancouver. They took in pre-match warmups from pitch level, participated in interviews with local radio broadcasters and for CITY SC’s pre-match show, got a behind-the-scenes stadium tour, and had a surprise meeting with 6-time Olympic medalist and one of the greatest female all-around athletes in history, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who brought her gold medals for them to see up-close. A few days later, Isaac, Ellie and Kirk met CITY SC first team players after training.
Isaac, Ellie and Kirk were grateful to travel to Columbus and be part of this year’s All Star Game.
“I will never have a better opportunity than representing St. Louis CITY SC alongside my amazing brother, of all people,” said Ellie. “This will go down in the books as a top moment in my lifetime.”
Learn more about Ellie, Isaac and Kirk’s story below.
