By Greg Mellen
Justin Boos is at his best when he’s in the wind. Toss on a pair of running shoes and he can run for days. Put a basketball in his hands or a soccer ball at his feet, so much the better.
“I like soccer and running,” said the 21-year-old from Laguna Niguel, who is a student with the Adult Transition Program in the Capistrano Unified School District.
Boos’ soccer skills captured the notice of the Los Angeles Galaxy, which recently signed him to play on their Special Olympics Unified team.
“I’m a left forward,” Boos said. “I’m a really good lefty kicker.”
Justin Boos, 21, a student in Capistrano Unified School District’s Adult Transition Program, is presented his LA Galaxy Special Olympics Unified team uniform by head coach Cris Ortiz.
Boos was part of a roster of 20 athletes who tried out and earned spots on the squad.
“We did team bonding, passing, corner kicks, and dribbles,” Boos said of the tryouts.
Boos found the LA Galaxy/Special Olympics Unified program online more than a year ago, although it didn’t fit his schedule at the time. However, when the opportunity to try out came around again, his mom, Linda Haddock, signed him up.
After tryouts, the players who made the team and their families had the chance to tour the Galaxy stadium and pitch, and sign contracts with the team as part of the annual L.A. Galaxy Special Olympics Signing Day in early April.
Not only did the athletes ink their names at a press conference, but they were able to tour the Galaxy locker room where lockers with their names awaited.
During the signing ceremony, Boos chatted with Jalen Neal, the Galaxy’s homegrown defender from Lakewood. When Boos told Neal about his running time in the 1,500 meters, he said the Galaxy player was impressed.
“He said, ‘That’s faster than me,’” Boos recalled with a smile.
Boos was given an official jersey with his name and number, 11.
“I like 7, 10, and 11,” Boos said.
Neither Boos nor his mom had any idea the lengths to which the Galaxy would go at the signing event.
“It was incredible,” Haddock said. “I had no idea they were doing all this. … And the swag, it was like, ‘Oh, my God.’”
Boos was also taken aback somewhat.
“I was nervous a little bit,” Boos said in a signing-day video the Galaxy made. “But then I got used to it. I got happy out there, like emotional happiness. … I got tears a little bit.”
This is not just an honorary position either. Players had to formally try out and show their skills. And they continue to practice regularly.
“It’s a process,” Haddock said.
Cris Ortiz has coached the Unified team since 2014, when the Galaxy formed its partnership with Special Olympics. L.A. Unified will kick off its 2024 season at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 1 against Chicago Unified, following the Galaxy’s match against the Chicago Fire. L.A. Unified then has a home game against Atlanta Unified on Saturday, August 24, in Carson after the Galaxy’s home match against Atlanta United.
“We give them the platform to use their abilities to play soccer and mock a professional club,” said Gabe Osollo, Director of Community Relations for the Galaxy. “We try to give Special Olympics that platform and that unique opportunity to be a professional athlete.”
A natural athlete
Boos, who has an intellectual disability, has always been an athletic dervish, according to his mom.
“At 20 months he could kick a ball and follow it,” Haddock said.
He hasn’t slowed down since.
“He’s super athletic. It’s something he’s good at,” Haddock said. “He excels at movement, he really likes to be active.”
That skill has stood out primarily in long-distance running, although he has also played basketball at the Laguna Niguel YMCA and soccer with the Laguna Niguel Soccer Association.
During the pandemic, Haddock said, Boos was happy to just go outside and run to his heart’s content.
Boos ran on the Dana Hills High track team and has since joined the squad at Saddleback College. In high school, he lettered in cross country and track in the 800, 1,600, 3,200, and four-by-1,600 meters. Last year, with Saddleback, where he is a student with ATP, he posted a personal record for the Bobcats in the 5,000 meters of 16 minutes, 32.78 seconds.
He is now an assistant coach for basketball at the Laguna Niguel YMCA and adaptive sports at Saddleback in basketball, floor hockey, soccer, and kickball. His infectious personality and encouragement make him a favorite with athletes and coaches alike.
“He’s Mr. Mayor in our neighborhood,” Haddock said. “I don’t know half the people he knows.”
That has extended to the Adult Transition Program.
“He’s an awesome kid,” said Lori Kunze-Thibeau, who has been his Special Education Teacher for three years. “He’s super athletic and very social.”
Kunze-Thibeau said Boos particularly thrives as a coach at job sites.
“Justin is motivated by praise and when taking on a leadership role at the ATP program,” she said.
Haddock notes that her son does not do well in more mundane settings without the stimulation and camaraderie of sports.
“He’ll just stop going,” she said of jobs that aren’t motivating.
That is why she sees a strong future for him with the Galaxy.
“They don’t just take anyone,” she said of Unified. “This has been a huge highlight in his life. I think it’s really good for his confidence. … I know he’ll stick with the Galaxy because it’s a huge accomplishment for him.”