Introducing 2023 Sportable Award Winners
Our work would not be possible without all the people who make up our Sportable community—athletes, volunteers, sponsors, community partners, donors and staff. We are thrilled to continue the tradition of recognizing a handful of those who have gone above and beyond to make an impact in the last year. Nominated by Sportable staff, the twelve individuals featured in this calendar have—in some significant way— helped push our mission forward and given us reason to celebrate, all seasons of the year. We are grateful to photographer Brian McWalters of Road Win Photos for capturing the essence and character of our awardees and we are proud to share their stories.
Danica King
Athlete of the Year
A social butterfly and natural leader, Danica King tells everyone she knows about Sportable. She is passionate about encouraging others to live a full life despite challenging circumstances.
For Danica, Sportable isn’t just about having fun and meeting new people; it also helps her manage her multiple sclerosis. Participating in cycling, rock climbing, pickleball, road racing and more helps her stay fit and has improved her endurance.
In addition to sharing her Sportable story every chance she gets, Danica often volunteers with Sportable and serves as a Sportable Ambassador.
Sportable WINS
Event of the Year
Sportable’s Wellness Initiatives (WINS) are making a big impact helping people with disabilities across Virginia improve their overall health.
WINS encompass a range of programs like the 8-week MENTOR wellness curriculum, mindfulness groups, fitness classes, webinars, and meet-ups.
Diverse benefits range from nutrition tips to stress relief strategies and peer connections. Supported by the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative (CNI) Trust Fund, all WINS programs are freely available, enabling all eligible Virginians to access these health-boosting resources.
Jarrett Kipp
Young Adult Athlete of the Year
Struggling with debilitating depression, pain, and social isolation following a spinal cord injury, it took a few years for Jarrett Kipp to try Sportable’s archery program. He hit eight bullseyes in that first session and was hooked. From there, he delved into cycling, pickleball, and more, aiming for high-level competition.
Yet, it's not just about winning for Jarrett. He found a lifeline in Sportable, making numerous friends, rediscovering joy, and getting physically fit. Getting so much from Sportable has fueled Jarrett’s desire to give back as an ambassador, encouraging others to try adaptive sports.
Brandon Rush
Volunteer of the Year
A wheelchair basketball player for nearly 30 years, Brandon Rush credits his teammates as his role models growing up. Driven by gratitude for the sport’s impact on his life, he commutes weekly from Charlottesville to Richmond to volunteer as a coach of the Sportable Spokes youth wheelchair basketball team.
He finds fulfillment in witnessing kids grasp new skills and attitudes. He emphasizes the significance of mental well-being in the game, acknowledging coaching is more than strategy—it’s about guiding players emotionally and helping them succeed on and off the court.
Scott Corwin
Coach of the Year
As a Sportable athlete and born teacher, Scott’s transition from athlete to coach of Sportable’s Archery Program started as he was spending less and less time shooting during practices. Instead, he dedicated his time to learning how every person in the program could improve. When a coaching position opened two years ago, Scott recertified as a USA Archery coach.
What Scott loves most about archery is how inclusive it is. With a verity of adaptations, he has helped seated athletes, athletes who have limited use of their hands, and even a blind athlete shoot independently.
Wyatt Brady
Youth Athlete of the Year
Wyatt Brady, a personable and active teenager, had never played a team sport before joining Sportable.
He participates in many Sportable programs but it’s the social dynamics of competing with the wheelchair basketball and tennis teams where he really thrives.
The friendships and shared experiences with his teammates have had a profound impact on Wyatt’s self-esteem and confidence. His father, Lee, underscores Sportable's influence, praising the community for instilling core values and showing Wyatt the power of kindness over toughness.
Ricky Jones
Rookie of the Year
An avid cyclist before his injury, Ricky Jones was fitted with a Sportable hand cycle and rediscovered a sense of freedom he hasn’t felt in years. He also competes in adaptive rowing, volunteers with the youth wheelchair basketball team, and participated in Sportable’s virtual wellness program.
In the last year, he has made great friendships through shared experiences, lost 100 pounds and spends less time using his wheelchair and more time walking with his prosthetic. Life after injury is a continuous climb but he credits the Sportable community with the motivation to keep going.
Sue Henneberry
Spirit Award
Sue Henneberry's story is one of resilience. Battling Complex Regional Pain Syndrome for 15 years, she opted for amputation in 2022. Enter Sportable in January 2023, where she rediscovered running, rowing, and cycling and tried new sports like rock climbing and pickleball.
With infectious positivity, Sue has soared athletically, impressing even her physical therapists. All while serving as an ever-present cheerleader for other athletes.
Sue celebrated her one-year milestone post-amputation with an act of determination—she completed a Spartan Race while fundraising for Sportable.
VDH
Community Partner of the Year
Sportable and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) are pioneering a tailored national abuse prevention program for athletes with disabilities.
This initiative, led by Sportable athletes and coaches and VDH Violence Prevention Coordinator Maria Altonen (pictured), emphasizes youth leadership, consent, healthy relationships, and safer spaces for adaptive sports.
By customizing established curricula for athletes with disabilities, a first-of-its-kind-venture nationwide, the joint effort aligns Sportable’s mission of inclusion with VDH's abuse prevention and health equity goals.
MEDRVA
Corporate Partner of the Year
MEDRVA Healthcare, a Richmond-based not-for-profit, has a mission to restore and enrich the lives of its patients. In 2023, MEDRVA partnered with Sportable to provide every visually impaired athlete with cost-free access to programs such as cycling, swimming, archery, rock climbing, and more.
Sportable also offers goalball, a Paralympic sport designed exclusively for athletes with visual impairments. Jayme, Sara, and Antoine (pictured alongside MEDRVA leadership) are three Sportable athletes with visual impairments who have benefitted from the MEDRVA partnership.
Michael Brooks
Veteran of the Year
After 21 years in the Army and several serious accidents, Mike Brooks thought his cycling career was over. But in 2019, the VA provided him a recumbent trike and introduced him to fellow disabled veterans turned high-performance athletes. Mike knew he wanted to be a part of that world.
He joined Sportable’s competitive cycling team where he found a supportive community and top-notch coaching. With a philosophy that personal effort drives success, Mike since completed various cycling races, including Iowa's week-long RABRAI, all while motivating fellow riders to push harder and pedal further.
Grant & Sandy Hayes
Donors of the Year
It was moments like witnessing a new Sportable cyclist conquer a daunting 12-mile course that hooked volunteers Grant and Sandy Hayes. Since then, the demands of work and family life put a temporary hold on volunteering; however, the Hayes family have been unwavering monthly donors long before Sportable had established a Booster Club. They even incrementally increase their support whenever possible.
The Hayes laud the multifaceted benefits of adaptive sports. Their understanding of the impact of community and the power of inclusivity is reflected in their decade-long commitment to Sportable.
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