From goalball to wheelchair racing, members of the Illinois State University community can participate in a host of adaptive sports in the annual Adaptapalooza, on Wednesday, February 28, from 5-6:30 p.m., in the Student Fitness Center.
Adaptapalooza is held the last Wednesday of every February during Therapeutic Recreation Month. The event is organized by Illinois State Therapeutic Recreation Department in collaboration with Campus Recreation, to give students an opportunity to experience sports adapted for people with physical disabilities.
This will be Adaptapalooza’s ninth year since it was first held at the Student Fitness Center in February 2015, under the leadership of Sherri Hildebrand, an instructional assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation.
“The first event was so impactful that the University contacted Dawn (Sanner) Pote, then executive director of Campus Recreation, to urge her to hold the event every year. Since then, it has become an opportunity to advocate for recreation for people with physical disabilities as well as to promote inclusion through participation in adapted sports,” said Hildebrand.
Although wheelchair basketball is the main sport in the event, adaptive climbing, sitting volleyball, goalball, and virtual reality are among other activities that have been promoted throughout the years.
This year, participants can look forward to wheelchair races and goalball. There will also be several opportunities to win prizes at the event.
Why should students participate? “Not only is it a fun event, but it is also a great opportunity for students to learn about adapted sport by participating in it,” Hildebrand said.
The event is free and requires no registration. A university identification card is required to access the Student Fitness Center.
For more information on how to join the School of Kinesiology and Recreation, visit its website.
