Our Mission

At Try It Out Sports, our mission is to provide all children—including those with special needs—with a fun, engaging, and low-pressure introduction to a variety of sports. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to explore athletics, develop fundamental skills, and build confidence in a supportive and inclusive environment. Through structured lessons focused on skill development, teamwork, and coachability, we aim to inspire a lifelong love for sports while helping families make informed decisions about their child’s athletic journey.

Founder

My name is Mike Vukovics, and I have over 20 years of experience coaching and teaching multiple sports—including football, basketball, track & field, and water polo. I’m dedicated to developing young athletes and, as a seasoned high school PE teacher, I’m passionate about creating a fun, structured environment where children can build skills, grow in confidence, and develop character through sports.

I was diagnosed with dyslexia at an early age, which led to having an IEP throughout high school. While attending college, I worked for five years as an instructional assistant for SEDOL (Special Education District of Lake County). These personal and professional experiences are a driving force behind Try It Out Sports—created to give children of all abilities the opportunity to play and learn through sports.

Co-Founder

Hi, I’m Joe Vukovics. I have a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on Special Education, and I’m a certified Learning Behavior Specialist. For over 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals with disabilities, and I’ve spent more than 19 of those years as a special education teacher.

My experience spans a wide range of abilities and support needs—from functional and academic skills to behavioral development. I’ve always been passionate about creating environments where every child feels seen, supported, and capable of achieving success.

That’s why I’m excited to help bring adaptive sports opportunities to children with disabilities. I believe all kids deserve the chance to build confidence, develop new skills, and experience the joy of teamwork through physical activity—and I’m committed to making that a reality.