The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Campus Recreation provides a place for everyone. Guided by their mission, Campus Rec provides programs, sustainable facilities and support services that promote a welcoming environment for the campus community to engage in wellness opportunities at Illinois.
On February 24, Campus Rec staff will host its first Adaptive Rec Day, to continue living out this mission of providing accessible programs and services for all. Adaptive Rec Day also serves as a continued celebration of National Recreation Sports and Fitness Day (NIRSA), hosted annually on February 22 by the National Intramural Recreation Sports Association.
“We have a responsibility to broaden students' horizons and provide them with new and unique opportunities," said Justin Peterson, Director of Campus Recreation. “Adaptive recreation is a big part of a lot of students' lives on campus, and by offering adaptive recreation, we are truly becoming a place for everyone.”
Noah Eckelberg, Campus Rec Graduate Assistant, played a role in the planning and execution of this event, which at its core, is an educational experience for students to learn more about adaptive sports on campus. He reviewed the accessible equipment available at the ARC in preparation for this event.
Based on Eckelburg’s assessment, several new pieces of adaptive equipment have been purchased for the Activities & Recreation Center (ARC), Ice Arena, climbing wall and Campus Bike Center, supported by a $16,000+ grant from the The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
Campus Recreation is also investing over $100,000 in renovating the locker room doors in Gym 1 to be wheelchair accessible, as a sustained commitment in making their facilities adaptable.
“Being part of this event is a cool opportunity,” Eckelburg said. “It is another way that Illinois gets to be a leader in accessibility in higher education.”
Students, faculty and staff members are encouraged to stop by ARC Gym 2 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on February 24 to try a variety of adaptive activities alongside Illinois wheelchair athletes, including wheelchair football, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball. At 1 p.m. in ARC MP6, there will also be a panel composed of disability experts and adaptive athletes who will be speaking about their experiences in the industry.
Panelists:
- Steph Wheeler, former Team USA athlete/coach and current Head Coach of U. of I. Women's Wheelchair Basketball
- Adam Bleakney, former Team USA athlete/coach and current Head Coach of U. of I. Men's and Women's Wheelchair Track and Road Racing
- Martrell Stevens, member of the US U23 team and current U. of I. Men's Wheelchair Basketball player
- Susannah Scaroni, American Paralympic medalist, track and field
