While Jude Killar’s first day at Special Olympics New York’s 2026 Winter Games started at 3pm, his time with Special Olympics began long before that. Killar has competed as a Special Olympics athlete from the Capital Region in basketball and softball, and he has hopes of playing floorball in the next Winter Games. Now, Killar holds the title of Special Olympics Awareness Coordinator, making photos, filming interviews, and making other forms of social media content for SONY. He works closely with Senior Director of Program Engagement and Events Stacy Eder, and loves getting to be a team player both on the field and in the office.

On Every Team

From left, Jude Killar and Samantha Vanburen look at his camera before the opening ceremonies for Special Olympics New York at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. “I love taking photos,” Killa

From left, Jude Killar and Samantha Vanburen look at his camera before the opening ceremonies for Special Olympics New York at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. “I love taking photos,” Killar says, “I kind of got into it by accident […] I want to be a film director in the movie business.”

Jude Killar listens Stacy Eder (far left) speak with DJ Naps before the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. Killar and Eder co-ran the opening ceremonies together, and Ki

Jude Killar listens Stacy Eder (far left) speak with DJ Naps before the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. Killar and Eder co-ran the opening ceremonies together, and Killar says he loves working alongside her. He is hesitant to play a sport in next years winter games because that would mean he wouldn’t be able to work with her.

Jude Killar waits to talk to Rochester Institute of Technology faculty member Josh Meltzer while he speaks to other RIT students before the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20,

Jude Killar waits to talk to Rochester Institute of Technology faculty member Josh Meltzer while he speaks to other RIT students before the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026.

A detail of Jude Killar’s script during the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026.

A detail of Jude Killar’s script during the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026.

Special Olympics New York President Stacey Hengsterman gestures to Jude Killar as he shows off the new medals during the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026.

Special Olympics New York President Stacey Hengsterman gestures to Jude Killar as he shows off the new medals during the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026.

A detail of Jude Killar’s hat before the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. “When [the athletes] are competing, [they] really bring their energy and excitement,” Killar

A detail of Jude Killar’s hat before the opening ceremonies at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 20, 2026. “When [the athletes] are competing, [they] really bring their energy and excitement,” Killar says, “I really love Special Olympics because it is special to me.”

Jude Killar (right) helps Rami Aizenman (left) set up areas for athletes to compete floor ball skills at Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026.

Jude Killar (right) helps Rami Aizenman (left) set up areas for athletes to compete floor ball skills at Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026.

From left, Karen Fischer, Sasha Massa, Stacey Hengsterman, Sara Massa, Stacy Eder, Summer Sledge, and Jude Killar cheer for athletes during figure skating at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. “Special Olympics means a lot t

From left, Karen Fischer, Sasha Massa, Stacey Hengsterman, Sara Massa, Stacy Eder, Summer Sledge, and Jude Killar cheer for athletes during figure skating at Tim Horton’s Ice Complex in Brighton, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. “Special Olympics means a lot to me because they are just like a family to me,” Killar says, “Being able to be involved behind the scenes and competing as an athlete just brightens my day each and every day.”

Jude Killar takes a photo of gymnastics athletes as they compete at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026.

Jude Killar takes a photo of gymnastics athletes as they compete at Town of Henrietta Recreation Dept. in Henrietta, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026.

Jude Killar takes a selfie with his friends Will Smith (center) and Jacob Babcock (right) during floorball at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. Killar, Smith, and Babcock have all been friends for several years an

Jude Killar takes a selfie with his friends Will Smith (center) and Jacob Babcock (right) during floorball at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. Killar, Smith, and Babcock have all been friends for several years and met through being Special Olympics athletes.

Jude Killar and his wife Greta Graham Amodeo dance together during the closing ceremonies of Special Olympics New York at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. Jude and Greta met through sharing

Jude Killar and his wife Greta Graham Amodeo dance together during the closing ceremonies of Special Olympics New York at Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y. on Feb. 21, 2026. Jude and Greta met through sharing the same job at the State Capital in Albany, N.Y. “I can take pictures after closing, but I have to sneak in a couple dances with my wife. I told her I would,” Killar says earlier in the day.