Paralympian and Gold Medalist Archer Matt Stutzman Makes Special Appearance to Speak and Honor Local Athletes
The American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, Inc. (AAASP) honored 32 recipients and organizations in 23 different categories in Atlanta at the Sixth Annual ASPIRE Awards celebrating the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations supporting student athletes with physical disabilities to get “off the sidelines and into the game worldwide.”
The ASPIRE
The 2024 ASPIRE (Adapted Sports Programs in Recreation and Education) Awards, emceed by actor, writer and television personality Patrick Cusick, featured a night of deserved recognition and special achievements, delicious food, and a meet and great with our guest speaker Matt Stutzman, US Paralympian and Gold Medalist in Para Archery at the 2024 Paris Games. Attendees walked the red carpet, posed for professional photos and enjoyed a night out, all to celebrate and honor the best in competitive school-based adaptED sports in 2024! A record 84 nominations were received this year!
After a very passionate, personal story from Stutzman, Cusick and special presenters honored outstanding student athletes, coaches and officials in the AdaptED Sports League in Georgia, as well as volunteers, advocates and business partners all working together to give more opportunities to physically-disabled athletes. It was an amazing night of celebrating the BEST in AdaptED Sports!
Congratulations to the 2024 ASPIRE Awards Recipients:
Vaughn-Storms Founders Award Recipients:
- Barry Ewing (Eagle Sportschairs), Georgia
- Minnesota State High School League (Minnesota State High School League), Minnesota
- Kyoya Itoga (Wheelchair Football Japan), Japan
- Terri Lakowski (Active Policy Solutions), Washington DC
Media Hero Award Recipients:
- Jon Nelson Electronic Media, GPB Sports
- Ethan Strang Print Media, LaGrange Daily News
Gail Hendrick Volunteerism Award Recipients:
- Rosa Hamlin Peach County Rolling Trojans (Peach County School District)
- Wellington deLuna Vazquez Georgia Blind Sports Association, Georgia State University
- Logan Wegienka West Georgia Wolverines (Troup County Schools)
Eli Wolff Advocacy Award Recipients:
- Dr. Tracy Butler Atlanta Wolfpack (Atlanta Public Schools)
- Dr. Robbie Hooker Clarke County Classic City Dawgs (Clarke County School District)
- Bobby Ryals Houston County Sharks (Houston County School District)
Spirit of AAASP Recipient:
- Gavin Pijnenburg West Georgia Wolverines (Troup County Schools)
Community-Based Award Recipients:
- Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center (Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center) New York
- Therapeutic Recreation Department, Henry County Parks and Recreation Department Terry Nash, Harlon Matthews and Henry County Parks and Recreation Department (Henry County Parks & Recreation)
Leslie Sweatman Official of the Year Award Recipient:
- Steven Lewis (Official)
Coach of the Year Award Recipients:
- John Bolles (JV) Muscogee Lions (Muscogee County School District)
- Bryan Watts (Varsity) Houston County Sharks (Houston County School District)
Most Improved Athlete Award Recipients:
- Naomie Wilson (Female JV) Houston County Sharks (Houston County School District)
- Laniya Jones (Female Varsity) Clayton Eagles (Clayton County Public Schools)
- Jace Tolliver (Male JV) Peach County Rolling Trojans (Peach County Schools)
- Gabriel Williams (Male Varsity) West Georgia Wolverines (Troup County Schools)
Scholar Athlete of the Year Recipients:
- Elianna Stevens (Female) Houston County Sharks (Houston County Schools)
- Caleb Watters (Male) Peach County Rolling Trojans (Peach County School District)
High School Senior Athlete Award Recipients:
- McCarty McGraw (Female) Muscogee County School District
- JaQuavious West (Male) Houston County School District
Athlete of the Year Award Recipients:
- Madison Ryan (Female JV) Houston County Sharks (Houston County School District)
- Kila-Ray Brown (Female Varsity) Clayton Eagles (Clayton County Public Schools)
- Paul Hart (Male JV) Muscogee Lions (Muscogee County School District)
- Jaedin Lowe (Male Varsity) Clayton Eagles (Clayton County Public Schools)
- Caleb Merriken (Power Chair Athlete of the Year) Muscogee Lions (Muscogee County School District)
- Najee Smothers (Most Valuable Player Overall League in Georgia) DeKalb Silver Streaks (DeKalb County Schools)
Education-Based Award Recipient:
- Troup County School System Kitty Crawford (Troup County School System)
Light Bearer Award Recipient:
- Tommie Storms Executive Director, American Association of AdaptED Sports Programs, Inc.
Thank you to the following 2024 AAASP ASPIRE Awards Sponsors: the Georgia Department of Education, the Georgia High School Association, Eagle Sportschairs, Good Media Ideas, Grunduski Group, HAI, InkSpot, Stout Creative, Story Drive, Vocal Video and the AAASP Board of Directors.
