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TJ Nelligan is a man on a mission. Like most successful entrepreneurs; action, risk-taking, and greatness are part of the winning strategy. But unlike most, TJ’s heart is the catalyst for a lifelong dedication to service for those who live a life with “special gifts.”
Inspired by the sudden and tragic passing of his son Sean on Father's Day, TJ authored his first book entitled, Live Like Sean: Important Life Lessons from My Special-Needs Son, as a way to celebrate the amazing person he was and to share all of Sean’s inspiring stories. An Amazon bestseller, Live Like Sean provides a first-person perspective of seeing the world through a special-needs person, revealing to us all that life lessons can come from the most unlikely places. Sean's lessons have resonated the readers worldwide as Live Like Sean has received numerous awards.
TJ’s professional life as the founder of a premier sports marketing agency and his love for his son created a synergistic opportunity for him to become a great advocate for Special Olympics. Having spearheaded some of the most successful marketing campaigns in collegiate sports, TJ looked to elevate the Special Olympics' status domestically and led the efforts to bring the Special Olympics USA Games to New Jersey. He then served as Chairman and CEO, where he oversaw all aspects of the event. TJ has been involved with Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) for decades, serving on its Board of Directors. As Chairman of SONJ's Board, he raised millions of dollars for the SONJ Sports Complex. TJ was elected to the Special Olympics New Jersey Hall of Fame in recognition of his years of involvement with SONJ and advancing the Special Olympics movement in sports, training, fundraising, and public awareness.
TJ founded his namesake company, Nelligan Sports Marketing (NSM), in pursuit of becoming the foremost sports marketing company in the nation. As a result of his leadership, NSM's employees negotiated more than half a billion in sponsorship agreements with some of the country's best-known blue-chip companies. With the dream fulfilled, TJ sold NSM to Learfield Sports.
Even as he built his company, TJ never forgot what was important. He consistently balanced his life as a social entrepreneur with his responsibilities as a father and role model, always incorporating the values of sportsmanship with the duty to others. An advocate for the needs of those with both intellectual and developmental disabilities, TJ served as Commissioner of the Commission of Higher Education for the State of New Jersey. TJ was also honored with the Man of the Year Award by SONJ, named Montville Township Citizen of the Year, and was inducted into the Montville Township High School Hall of Fame. In recognition of the Special Olympics USA Games, TJ, and Special Olympics athletes rang the closing bell of the Nasdaq.
TJ has spread the message of inclusion and acceptance along with his marketing expertise in his numerous media appearances, including on FOX & Friends, Fox Sports 1’s Super Bowl Pre-Game Show, Bloomberg News, Sports Business Journal, New Jersey Monthly Magazine, New York Daily News, Newark Star-Ledger, Mitch Albom Radio Show, and The Huffington Post.
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