The Valparaiso University Department of Athletics is saddened by the loss of Lorrie Woycik ’52, who passed away on July 13 at the age of 93.

A 2001 inductee into the Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame, Woycik was renowned for her pioneering work with Special Olympics in Northwest Indiana and beyond. She took a group of athletes to Chicago for the first Special Olympics World Summer Games in 1968, helped organize the first Special Olympics Indiana Winter Games in 1977 with her husband and served on the United States coaching staff during four World Games. Woycik began the Special Olympics program in Porter County and became its first county coordinator in 1972.

Woycik attended Valpo from 1948 through 1952, playing basketball, softball and volleyball during her time on campus. She started the girls’ basketball program at Valparaiso H.S. in 1973-74, serving as the program’s first coach.

Woycik was a driving force behind special education in Valparaiso as well. She was one of the first teachers hired at Vale Day School — a private school designed for children with special needs, who were not allowed to attend public school at the time — in the 1950s. Woycik taught at Vale Day School for 14 years and helped the transition as its students were eventually incorporated into the Valparaiso Community Schools. Her success working in special education led to the founding of the SELF (Special Education Learning Facility) School in 1971, which still operates today providing special education services to students across all Porter County school districts. Woyick also later served on the Valparaiso Community Schools Board of Education.

The memorial service will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 2 p.m. You may gather in the narthex from 1 p.m.–2 p.m. without family. Immediately following the service until 5 p.m. will be “Lorrie Story” time. There will be opportunities to either write a story, video your story, as well as share a story with her family. All will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Monticello Park Drive, Valparaiso, IN.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Lorrie to Immanuel Lutheran Church and School or Porter County Special Olympics.  The service will be livestreamed, the link will be available closer to the date.