2023 AAASP ASPIRE Awards
The American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP) ASPIRE Awards (Adapted Sports Programs in Recreation and Education) honor individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions in contributing to the physical, social, and intellectual well-being of children and adolescents with physical disabilities and impairments through the power of athletics.
All AAASP ASPIRE Award winners are chosen through a nomination process. ASPIRE Award Nominees will be announced in August 2023.
An ASPIRE award recognizes the significant contributions of individuals and organizations that have been central to the mission of making adapted sports programming available to children with physical disabilities. Through these programs, student athletes with physical disabilities reap the physical, social, emotional and academic benefits of competitive athletics resulting in personal and social empowerment.
The ASPIRE award was established to recognize those who support and advocate on behalf of adapted sports. The award showcases those who stand as role models; individuals, companies and organizations that have taken a proactive and innovative path in support of competitive sports programs for student athletes with physical disabilities.
2023 ASPIRE Award Categories
ADVOCACY AWARD
- Individual or organization - Presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional efforts toward the needs and rights of individuals with disabilities.
EDUCATION-BASED AWARD
- School or School District Program - Presented to those groups who have demonstrated excellence and/or outstanding achievement in establishing, expanding or sustaining adapted sports programming in their school community.
COMMUNITY-BASED AWARD
- Group, Team or Organization (Recreation Department, YMCA, Club program, or other) - Presented to those groups who have demonstrated excellence and/or outstanding achievement in establishing, expanding or sustaining adapted sports programming in their community.
MEDIA AWARD
- News Organization or Individual - Presented to an individual or news organization that provides conscientious coverage and visibility to AAASP’s sports leagues (should be active working media – Radio, TV, Newspaper, magazine, film writers, producers, online bloggers, anchors, etc.)
GAIL HENDRICKS VOLUNTEERISM AWARD
- Individual - Presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrated exceptional efforts in support of AAASP’s sports league.
OUTSTANDING MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Individual - Presented to a male athlete that has demonstrated exceptional efforts and leadership qualities in the AAASP’s sports league.
OUTSTANDING FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Individual - Presented to a female athlete that has demonstrated exceptional efforts and leadership qualities in the AAASP’s sports league.
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR ATHLETE AWARD
- Individual - Presented to a Senior in High School that has demonstrated exceptional efforts and leadership qualities in the AAASP’s sports league.
COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Individual
LESLIE SWEATMAN OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR AWARD
- Individual
NEW OUTSTANDING COACH - Jr. Varsity
- Individual - This award, voted on by the committee, will be given to an outstanding AAASP coach, coaching at the Junior Varsity level
NEW OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR (MALE)
- Individual - The outstanding scholar male athlete will be recognized at this year's event, for not only their participation and excellence on the court, but their excellence in the classroom as well. Rigor of schedule, and grades, as well as recommendation will all be considered in selection of this year's recipient. All athletes MUST apply to be considered, and should submit last semester's grades for consideration.
NEW OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR (FEMALE)
- Individual - The outstanding scholar female athlete will be recognized at this year's event, for not only their participation and excellence on the court, but their excellence in the classroom as well. Rigor of schedule, and grades, as well as recommendation will all be considered in selection of this year's recipient. All athetes MUST apply to be considered, and should submit last semester's grades for consideration.
NEW OUTSTANDING MALE ATHLETE (Power Chair)
- Individual - Open only to power chair male athletes
NEW OUTSTANDING FEMALE ATHLETE (Power Chair)
- Individual - Open only to power chair female athletes
NEW MOST IMPROVED ATHLETE
- Individual - The most improved athlete award, new this year, will be selected from the pool of candidates, and the recommendations from their coaches - demonstrating why they are the most improved.
NEW LEAGUE MVP - Varsity
- Individual - Voted by other teams, this athlete will be recognized for their excellence in play, in leading the team, and their sportsmanship playing at the Varsity level.
NEW LEague mvp - JR. varsity
- Individual - Voted by other teams, this athlete will be recognized for their excellence in play, in leading the team, and their sportsmanship playing at the Junior Varsity level.
NEW AAASP All-Star / All Tournament Teams
- Individuals - Voted by other teams, these athletes will be selected and recognized for their excellence in play, in leading the team, and their sportsmanship playing in three regular seasons of play - Wheelchair Handball, Wheelchair Basketball, and Wheelchair Football.
Official 2023 AAASP ASPIRE Nomination Form
PLEASE NOTE: Items labeled with a * are required in order to submit a nominee
The ASPIRE Awards Hall of Fame:
- Jeff Battles, Advocacy Award, Muscogee Lions
- Senator Kim Jackson, Advocacy Award, State of GA
- Anna Henry, Coach of The Year Award, Houston County Sharks
- Delton Schoates, Coach of The Year Award, DeKalb Silver Streaks
- Kids Mobility Network, Community-Based Program Award, Colorado
- Marlana Butler, Gail Hendrick Volunteerism Award, Gwinnett Heat
- Michael Davis, Gail Hendrick Volunteerism Award, Clayton Eagles
- Nicholas Griffin, Gail Hendrick Volunteerism Award, West GA Wolverines
- Christa Hartman, Gail Hendrick Volunteerism Award, Houston County Sharks
- Leon Porter*, Leslie Sweatman Official of The Year Award (*posthumously), All teams
- Marvin James, Media "Hero" Award, WMAZ Channel 13
- Zoey Schied, Outstanding High School Senior Athlete Award, Muscogee Lions, Muscogee County Schools
- Elianna Stevens, Outstanding Female Athlete of The Year Award, Houston County Sharks
- Najee Smothers, Outstanding Male Athlete of The Year Award, DeKalb Silver Streaks
- Clayton County Eagles, School-Based Program Award
- Mike Emery, Founder's Award, former Gwinnett County Public Schools Athletic and Activities Director
- Harlon Matthews, Founder's Award, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Henry County Parks and Recreation
- Ernie Yarbrough, Founder's Award, Assistant Executive Director of the Georgia High School Association, and longtime AAASP supporter
- Carol McCullough, Founder's Award, Richmond County Schools retired teacher and AAASP Area Coordinator
- Janie Thompson Avant, Founder's Award, retired Gwinnett County Public Schools teacher to special needs populations, former Paralympic coach and founder of the Atlanta Disabled Sports Foundation