Recreation Experts To Share Tips At Springfield College
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., April 8, 2003 -- With some adaptations to sports and recreation, people with disabilities can join in the fun with able-bodied people. Springfield College will hold the first of its series of conferences for coaches, and professionals in health, fitness and education on “Leadership Development in Sport and Inclusive Recreation for People with Disabilities” on Thursday, April 10, 2003, at the college’s Brennan Center, on Island Pond Road.According to Carl Fetteroll, director of Springfield College’s United States Sport and Wellness Center for Persons with Disabilities, “This will be an opportunity to learn from top experts in their fields about the many ways sport and recreation can be enhanced for everyone by including players who are able bodied and those with disabilities.”
The college, the Massachusetts Governor’s Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports, and the Hospital for Special Care will cosponsor the conference. Ann Walters Thompson, the hospital’s sports program manager will give the keynote. Thompson is the seven-time winner of the Chicago marathon, wheelchair division and was a member of four USA Paralympic track and basketball teams.
Steve Burke, chair of the Fitness for the Disabled Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Governor’s Committee on Physical Fitness and Sport, will lead a panel discussion on “Leadership Issues in Disabled Sport and Recreation.” Panelists will be Joe Balil, director of Bay State Wheelers; Mike Welsh, Metropolitan District Commission; Tracy D’arpino, principal at Fitness Factor; Dale Wise, president of the New England Wheelchair Athletic Association; Charlie Ekizian, director of Wheelchair Sports and Recreation Association; and Eli Wolff, of Northeastern University’s Center for Sport in Society.
Breakout sessions will focus on inclusive recreation programs, adapting and designing new programs, and rehabilitation. Among the conference session leaders will be several Springfield College faculty members in physical education, adapted sports, therapeutic recreation, sport management, and other related disciplines. Springfield College graduate students will assist them. Joining them will be specialists from Northeastern University, Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks, Loomis Village, Fitness Factor, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management.
Leading demonstrations will be Susan Teitel, Ladies Professional Golf Association professional; Ross Lilly, director of Access Sport America; Robert Bergquist, head coach of the Western Mass. Wild Wheels Wheelchair Soccer Team; Kip St. Germaine, sled hockey gold medallist at the 2002 Salt Lake City Paralympic Games; and Ann Walters Thompson.
The United States Sports and Wellness Center for Persons with Disabilities of Springfield College is accepting reservations for the conference at telephone (413) 748-3709. The fee will be $45.
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