Paralympic Athletes to Showcase Adaptive Sports at San Diego State University
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Aztec Adaptive Sports, a recognized student organization at San Diego State University, is hosting the first-ever Aztec Adaptive Sports Showcase to raise awareness regarding the positive impact a collegiate adaptive sports program would have at San Diego State University and the San Diego community, in light of theLA2028 Paralympic Games. This historic event will be held January 26-27, 2018 at San Diego State University and will be open to the public.
About one dozen collegiate adaptive sports programs exist in the United States, but not one is located in California. Aztec Adaptive Sports is working toward introducing the first college-level program in California. The mission of Aztec Adaptive Sports is to support SDSU in implementing a balanced, high-quality, inclusive education for athletes of all physical abilities while enhancing SDSU's culture and the student experience on campus.
"It is time for a competitive, college-level adaptive sports program to exist in California," said Ahkeel Whitehead, 2016 U.S. Paralympian, 2017 SDSU graduate and current program director of Aztec Adaptive Sports "Many California residents have to leave our great state and attend out-of-state universities to pursue their academic and athletic goals. In establishing an adaptive sports program at SDSU, we aim to develop adaptive student-athletes to their highest potential and better represent our community, alumni, and partners with excellence and distinction," Whitehead said.
"Our team has been working hard to establish an adaptive sports program at SDSU," said Antoinette Domingo, SDSU professor and the faculty adviser to Aztec Adaptive Sports. "We hope SDSU students, faculty and staff, as well as community members, will attend the Showcase and experience the excitement of high-level adaptive sports."
The Aztec Adaptive Sports Showcase is free and open to the public. The two-day event begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 26th, in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union's Montezuma Hall. The Friday night event will feature a dance performance by The Rollettes, a wheelchair dance team, followed by a screening of the award-winning documentary, "The Rebound." The screening will be hosted by David Kiley, a California-native and 6-time U.S. Paralympic gold medalist.
On Saturday, January 27th, SDSU Peterson Gym Room 152 doors open at 9:30 am. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., the Showcase will feature high-level competition by elite athletes, including U.S. Paralympic athletes, competing in wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair tennis. The wheelchair basketball demonstration includes members of the ABC Medical All-Star team, comprised of former University of Alabama Women's Wheelchair Basketball players who have won five national championships since 2009. Candace Cable, a 9-time U.S. Paralympic athlete, who has recently been appointed as the Vice Chair of the bid for LA2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will be giving a keynote speech during halftime of the wheelchair basketball game on Saturday.
Since 2016, ABC Medical has been working with Aztec Adaptive Sports to help create an Adaptive Sports Program at SDSU. Keith Jones, CEO of ABC Medical, stated "We launched the "Seeds of Hope" initiative to create opportunities for young student-athletes to participate in adaptive sports programs at the collegiate level and to build tools and resources for colleges to sustain a long-lasting program on campus. It's time for San Diego to have a program that can pave the way for young athletes in the area. Aztec Adaptive Sports is motivated, focused and dedicated to seeing their mission succeed and we are proud to be able to support their efforts.
About SDSU Adaptive Sports:
The goal of Aztec Adaptive Sports is to educate and introduce the SDSU community to adaptive sports, as we strive to build the first collegiate level adaptive sports program on the west coast. Join our team as we listen to Paralympic Athletes' stories, participate in wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball and track & field events, and volunteer at regional adaptive sports events. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who are passionate about providing competitive sports opportunities at SDSU for all athletes. To learn more, visit https://aztecadaptivesports.wixsite.com/aztecadaptivesports/about.
About ABC Medical:
ABC Medical is a national leader in providing urological, ostomy, wound care and bowel management supplies, delivered directly to customers' homes. ABC Medical is a "Different Kind of DME", offering an unmatched combination of personalized service, quality medical supplies, education and outreach to its customers. ABC stands for Adapt.Believe.Compete., representing the Company's mission of providing its customers unparalleled support to adapt to their situation, believe in themselves and compete every day. To learn more call 866-897-8588 or visit http://www.abc-med.com.
For more details on the Adaptive Sports Showcase, visit https://aztecshowcase2018.wixsite.com/sdsuadaptivesports.
Media Contacts:
Ahkeel Whitehead and Ryan Lieu
(619) 757-0258
[email protected]
Media Contact: Ahkeel Whitehead, Aztec Adaptive Sports, (619) 757-0258, [email protected]
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SOURCE Aztec Adaptive Sports
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