Meet the Team
Alex Dolgner, CTRS - Founder/Recreational Therapist/Athletic Coach
Alex began his work with people with disabilities at 13-years-old with coaching his first Special Olympics sports team. From that moment on, Alex made it his mission to continue advocating for individuals with disabilities through the use of education, sports, and recreation. Alex is a nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), who graduated with honors from Illinois State University’s Therapeutic Recreation program, and has pursued continuing education certificates from the University of Michigan focusing on disability inclusion. Alex has served in Recreational Therapist roles in community-based therapeutic recreation services, and in clinical behavioral health both in hospital and educational/residential environments. Alex enjoys serving in the capacity of adapting leisure to meet people’s physical, cognitive and psychological levels of function in order for them to have a better quality of life.
When it comes to the game of Football, Alex Dolgner embodies what passion for the game is. He played 13 years on the Offensive Line and has made it his mission to perfect the craft with continuing education and presenting on Offensive Line topics at Clinics across the Midwest such as with the Glazier Organization and the University of Notre Dame as well as on the topic of the promotion of Wheelchair Football. He has interacted and worked with several high school, college, and NFL coaches and has networked to learn more about the game and the specific position group.
Alex began coaching Offensive Line at a very young age and to date, he has coached several youth and high school football programs, and a stint at Illinois State University. He was an Offensive Line Coach for USA Football’s Midwest Regional for the US National Team. Alex coaches annually at the University of Alabama Football Camps as an Offensive Line Coach, working primarily with Youth, High Schoolers, Transfers, and Prospects. Alex roots his technique for football specifically in the passion for the game, posture, flexibility, and repetition. Finding the small parts in each rep and mastering it is key to becoming the best overall athlete.
Alex created ExpandAbilities to help individuals realize and live up to their true potential as an overall person regardless of the role they are in. Alex wants to advocate and help EVERYONE achieve their goals and believes ExpandAbilities can serve as a tool to help them reach that success. Alex is determined to be the best resource for individuals looking to better their lives and/or careers who choose to work with ExpandAbilities by attending/speaking at clinics and conferences, speaking with coaches and therapists across the country and picking their brains, and discovering new ways to enhance athletics, education, and recreation for all.
Robert Harris, MA - Counselor/Athletic Coach
Robert began his career serving in the United State Army and upon fulfilling that commitment, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences from the University of Arizona. Robert holds a Master’s Degree in Higher Education and a Master’s Degree in Human Services with a focus in Mental Health Administration both also from the University of Arizona.
In his professional career, Robert has served in several roles with the same focus in mind, to help all people. In his career, he first taught drug prevention classes in middle schools throughout Central Illinois. He has worked with homeless populations specifically with youth and expecting mothers in a group home setting, as well as in a transitional living program helping find homes for youth while teaching necessary life skills. In addition to working with homeless populations, he worked with adults going through divorce with helping them manage co-parenting situations. Most recently, he has worked with at-risk youth in the high school setting with managing crises and mental health related issues. Robert is a Child and Youth Care Certified Practitioner at the Professional level, and is also a Certified Restorative Practice Trainer.
With Athletics, Robert defines the passion for coaching. He has worked with several coaches throughout his life and has made it his mission to be a teacher of lives while teaching the sports he loves. Robert has been coaching primarily football and wrestling for 20+ years. He has been a Head Wrestling Coach at the Junior High level for 10+ years. He also has experience coaching at the high school level. He has coached several state qualifying wrestlers, many of which have placed in the State tournament, as well as a State Champion. Robert also served in both Head and Assisting roles for several football programs. Robert is determined to grow participation in sports and help athletes realize their true potential with understanding how successful they can be. He is a believer in every athlete's ability to succeed in sports and make it as far as they want if they're willing to work for it. He promotes hard work-ethic and will never give up on his athletes until they accomplish the goals that are specific to them.
Robert is determined to impact the lives of many and wants to continue doing so as a part of the ExpandAbilities team!