U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Hector Herrera, 355th Component Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, and Master Sgt. Steven Shulski, 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, tip off during an adaptive sporting demonstration at the Benko Fitness Center on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Oct. 30. A team of six coed athletes from the University of Arizona came to D-M with extra sport wheelchairs to participate in a basketball exhibition against Air Force members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Dowdle/released)
Members of the Desert Lightning Team and members from the University of Arizona adaptive athletics program play a friend game of wheelchair basketball during an adaptive sporting demonstration at the Benko Fitness Center on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Oct. 30. The adaptive sporting demo was the first of its kind on D-M. The event marked the end of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Dowdle/released)
Members of the Desert Lightning Team and members from the University of Arizona adaptive athletics program watch as the ball goes through the hoop in a game of wheelchair basketball during an adaptive sporting demonstration at the Benko Fitness Center on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Oct. 30. The U of A's adaptive athletics program is the largest and most successful program of its kind in the country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Dowdle/released)
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Gadziala, 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, shoots the ball during an adaptive sporting demonstration at the Benko Fitness Center on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Oct. 30. The adaptive sporting demo was the first of its kind on D-M. The event marked the end of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Dowdle/released)
by Senior Airman Brittany Dowdle
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
11/5/2012 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Disabled athletes from the University of Arizona performed an adaptive sporting demonstration as the final event of National Disability Employment Awareness Month at the Benko Fitness Center on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Oct. 30.
Pete Hughes, University of Arizona women's wheelchair basketball team head coach, along with a team of six coed athletes came to D-M with extra sport wheelchairs to participate in a basketball exhibition against Air Force members.
"The event was highly successful," said Staff Sgt. Karolien Thornton, 25th Operational Weather Squadron zone supervisor. "We had a great turnout of spectators who were very enthusiastic about the contest. Even Col. Greg Williams, 355th Mission Support Group commander, got in on a match."
The University of Arizona's adaptive athletics program is the largest and most successful program of its kind in the country. The program provides disabled students and community members opportunities to participate fully in all the experiences higher education has to offer. The adaptive athletics program offers its own sports teams for men and women's basketball, quad rugby, tennis, track and road racing.
"These athletes are an inspiration to the community and to members that wear a uniform," Thornton said.
The adaptive sporting demo was the first of its kind on Davis-Monthan.
"All in all, this event, which wrapped up the successful NDEAM campaign, was perfect," Thornton said. "We were able to positively promote disability awareness and employment opportunities for those serving our country and our community."
