Endeavor Games to Host Soldiers

The 7th Annual Endeavor Games for Athletes with Physical Disabilities will be held at the University of Central Oklahoma and at Deer Creek High School in Edmond, Oklahoma, June 8-11, the Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA) Chapter of the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) announced. The Endeavor Games, established in 2000, are a national event created to teach participation in adaptive sports to persons with disabilities.

In 2005, 308 athletes competed in ten sports, traveling from 28 states and three countries. This year, the games will host athletes from around the US competing in archery, junior and adult 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball, boccia, powerlifting, shooting, track and field, tennis, table tennis, wheelchair softball, and swimming. Sponsors of the Endeavor Games include Title sponsor, University of Central Oklahoma; Platinum sponsor, Valir Rehabilitation Hospital; Gold sponsors, Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled Sports USA, Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics, Bob Howard Auto Group, and Renda Broadcasting.

The Endeavor Games will kick off on Thursday, June 8, with a day of clinics for athletes and coaches in archery, cycling, sit volleyball, and tennis, offered in conjunction with Disabled Sports USA, BlazeSports America, and the Paralympic Academy.

As a continuation of DS/USA's 39-year history of rebuilding the lives of disabled veterans, UCO will partner with the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project to host US soldiers who were severely injured during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as special guests. More than 20 soldiers and their families will participate.

"As a disabled Vietnam veteran, I know that these brave, severely wounded soldiers' adjustment back to normal lifewill be challenging," said Kirk Bauer, executive director of Disabled Sports USA. "I also know that they will have an extremely positive experience at the UCO Endeavor Games and will leave knowing that they can still accomplish their dreams in life. Disabled Sports USA and The Wounded Warrior Project are proud to partner with the University of Central Oklahoma to sponsor this event and host, as special guests, our fine service men and women. These soldiers have put their lives on the line for our country, and we will to be there to help them in their hour of need."

A new Disabled Sports USA program will also be introduced at the 2006 Endeavor Games. As part of the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, five severely wounded service members recently attended a training session as part of the DS/USA Pilot Mentoring Program and will be attending the Endeavor Games not only as participants, but also as mentors to the young athletes at the event.

"I am very proud to be a DS/USA Mentor," said Leslie Smith, Captain US Army (retired). "This exceptional program will enable me to reach out to kids with disabilities and provide opportunities to share in their lives. As a disabled veteran, I would like to relate my experiences in such a way that kids will be motivated to try new activities and to believe in themselves. I know that once you break that barrier, you are limitless and can do anything. I want to share stories of hope, encouragement, and inspiration so kids know that they have the world in their hands."

Another special addition to the 2006 Endeavor Games is the Ultimate Endeavor Invitational. This will be an invitation-only competition on Saturday, June 10, following the morning track competition. Paralympic amputee athletes from three different countries will compete in the 100m and the long jump. These elite athletes will compete in an internationally sanctioned competition in hopes of setting world records.

"This invitational is a great opportunity for our younger competitors to see these elite athletes in their element," said Shelly Ramsey, event coordinator for UCO Disabled Sports and Events. "Hopefully we will see history in the making with a new world record."

To receive additional information on the event and a registration packet, contact UCO Disabled Sports and Events at 405.974.3151 or sramsey2@ucok.edu

To see the full program, visit www.ucok.edu/wellnesscenter

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