Westlake’s No. 1 fan earns his own gold medal
By Zachary Dzurick
Westlake
Published Feb. 8, 2006

Chad DiLillo

The word most likely to be used to describe Chad DiLillo is contagious. While the 14-year has Williams Syndrome and suffers from scoliosis, which forces him to wear a brace 22 out of 24 hours, it is his outgoing personality and generous spirit that draws others to him. The list is long of those who say Chad’s enthusiasm has rubbed off on them.

If you have been to a Westlake High School home sporting event recently, then you probably know Chad. He is the self-described “number one Westlake sports fan.” Whether it is cheering on his older sister Jackie’s varsity soccer team, high-fiving basketball players as they come onto the court, sitting in the baseball team’s dugout during games, being held up in the air to lead chants in the student section at football or doing a cheer with the cheerleaders, Chad is a constant presence at Demon sporting events.

“Chad has a wonderful smile,” Westlake Athletic Director Dennis Bartlett said. “You always see him in the fall at the soccer stadium and at the football games. Our athletes look forward to seeing Chad and the energy he brings to events including cheering them on at the basketball games. It is nice to see a kid that is that excited and that supportive of high school athletics.”

But rather than remain on the sidelines, the Lee Burneson student recently got his own chance to shine as part of the Ohio Special Olympics Winter Games at Kent State. He won the gold dedal in the 100-meter long track speed skating event and took the bronze in the 300-meter event.

“He went out too fast and fell on the first turn,” his father, Gary, said. “But he still got up to win his heat.”

Chad just started speed skating in September through a program called Trinity Special Olympics run by the husband-and-wife team of Tim and Sharon Stark at Winterhurst. They offer speed skating to special needs athletes on Saturday and have a hockey program on Monday nights. Chad participates in both.

“We are surprised more people aren’t aware of this great program,” Gary said. “The St. Ignatius JV team donates their time and the uniforms for hockey. He is the youngest one at the hockey. He is mostly with adults since they break it up by speed. It makes it tough on a little guy like him, but he holds his own.”

Chad is enamored of his coach.

“I like to race,” Chad said, beaming the smile that is famous in Westlake. “And I like to speed skate with my friends and I like my coach, Tim. Coach is a nice guy. He is my best coach.”

Sharon Stark said Chad’s personality is great for the program.

“Chad’s enthusiasm is contagious,” Stark said. “He loves to skate and has trained very hard since September.”

Westlake baseball coach Jeff Short has known Chad for several years. When Chad was a student at Parkside, Short’s room was next to Chad’s.

“He would walk right into my classroom to give me a high-five or to tell me a story,” Short said. “We first brought him to the baseball team Chad about two years ago. The high school kids warmed up to him so quickly and established a rapport with him. His energy is so contagious. Kids surround him whenever he is around.”

Short could not be more thrilled that Chad was able to have his own victorious athletic moment.

“ I am so happy and proud of him,” Short said. “I know he has to feel like he is on top of the world. You love to see him smile.”

Gary and his wife, Connie, are so thankful how the community has welcomed not only Chad, but his older brother Jon.

“Our other son Jon is autistic,” Connie said. “He broke the barrier. When he started school, it was the first year Westlake kept their kids in district. I think the community, schools and kids learned to accept the handicapped kids. They were brought up thinking that is OK. They look out for them. Then Chad came along, and it just continued. It is really nice. I don’t fear him going out among them. Someone always has an eye out.”

“Ever since they came out with that $80 family pass, we go to every home game,“ Gary said. “They treat him well at the high school,” Gary said. “They let him in the locker room sometimes. He has a ball signed by last year’s varsity team. The coaches like him because he is so spirit-minded. He will go the JV game early and then stand in line and stick out his hand as the team runs out. At one recent game, someone told me how much they miss having Gary at Parkside.”

Chad is active in the front yard as well. He plays basketball, football, kickball and skateboards. He also swims and does karate. Whenever he does something well, he always pumps his fist and flashes a smile. He also loves the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ohio State sports team. When a game is on TV, you can find him there wearing his team colors and cheering away. But his number one love is Westlake sports.

“I am the number one all-time Westlake basketball fan,” he says proudly. “But I am a Demon fan of all sports.”

“When they lose, he cries,” Gary said. “But when they win he gets so excited.”

And that passion has turned Chad into sort of a local celebrity.

“We can’t go anywhere without kids stopping us,” Gary said. “He is so outgoing and his disposition is so happy. The kids are drawn to him and always stop and say hi to him. This community has been great for Chad.”

And the community knows Chad has been a blessing to them.

“This kid has ‘it.’ He's got that something special that no matter what's going on when Chad walks in the room, your face lights up,” Westlake head basketball coach Chad Pado said. “The ‘I'm your No. 1 fan cliché’ gets over used these days. But, our kids and coaching staff will tell you, bar none, Chad IS the Westlake Basketball Program's No. 1 fan. And, we're honored.”