FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Atlanta, August 6, 2025– Hometown Hero, World Record-Holding Athlete, Author & Adventurer–Kyle Maynard, will headline the seventh annual AAASP ASPIRE Awards on Sunday, October 26, 2025. The Adapted Sports Programs in Recreation and Education (ASPIRE) Awards recognize student athletes, coaches, advocates, volunteers and others working to make adapted sports available across the nation, and those who serve as role models for their action and initiative in supporting competitive sports programs for athletes with disabilities. The AAASP will honor several individuals and organizations who exemplify these efforts and have shown a passion for excellence, accessibility, and advocacy for adapted sports programs.
Kyle Maynard is an entrepreneur, speaker, best selling author, award-winning extreme athlete, and the first man to bear crawl to the top of the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet), and the summit of Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua (22,838 feet), the highest peak in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres. Born with a rare condition known as congenital amputation, that left him with arms that end at the elbows and legs that end near his knees, he learned early on to live life independently and without prosthetics. Kyle thrives on physical challenges and is a champion wrestler, CrossFit Certified Instructor and gym owner, competitive Mixed Martial Arts fighter, world record-setting weightlifter, and skilled mountaineer.
Kyle is on a mission to make the world a better place and to inspire others to do the same by sharing his story and living by example. We are excited to hear Kyle’s personal story during his keynote speech in October. Click here to learn more about Kyle Maynard.
“We are honored to welcome Kyle Maynard as our guest speaker for this year’s event,” said Dr. Jenny Millward, AAASP Executive Director. “Kyle’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, courage, and the limitless potential within each of us. His message will undoubtedly inspire our community to embrace challenges, overcome obstacles, and pursue excellence—no matter the circumstances.”
The ASPIRE Awards shine a light on those who have advocated and supported the programs and resources that make adapted sports possible for so many athletes. It is through this advocacy and support that so many athletes have the invaluable chance to get into the game and realize the benefits that sports offer to people’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Celebrate the 2025 ASPIRE Award nominees with us on October 26th! (Nominations are still open until Friday – Click here to nominate someone today!)
Date/Time: Sunday, October 26, 2025 – 4:00 -6:30 pm
Location: Maggiano’s Little Italy Buckhead 3368 Peachtree Road, Atlanta GA 30326
**A limited number of Sponsorship Opportunities are now available as well! Click here to visit our to download a copy of sponsorship levels now. Please click here to fill out a sponsorship application.
The American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, will celebrate its 30th year as a not-for-profit association dedicated to developing interscholastic adapted sports programs in partnership with national, state, and local educational agencies this year. AAASP represents a standardized approach to extracurricular adapted team sports and has developed one of the nation’s most comprehensive school-based athletic programs for students with qualifying disabilities attending elementary, middle and high schools. For more information, please visit our website at http://adaptedsports.org or join our conversations on Twitter at: @AdaptedSports.
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Contacts: Atlanta:
Terri Grunduski, AdaptED Sports –tgrunduski@adaptedsports.org 404-226-7497