Movin’ and groovin’
Adaptive Sports offers fun, support to those with special needs
Father’s Day falls in June, so it’s appropriate that our Driven By Hope award this month recognizes an organization started by two dads who just wanted to form a sports league for special needs children and adults.
Back in 2001, Washington County’s Challengers Baseball folded. Terry Hazlett and Rob Simonin both had sons in the organization and decided to form their own league. The next year, The Arc Angels kicked off with two teams of 12 players. The league eventually became known as Adaptive Sports Inc., with baseball, soccer, football, miniature golf, dance and an exercise class all now on the roster.
Adaptive Sports reached its goal of providing sports every month of the year and is our June Driven By Hope Award winner, sponsored by Washington Auto Mall.
“We saw how much special needs kids enjoyed Challenger Baseball and when that program ended, our group of parents knew we needed to do something to keep that momentum going,” says Adaptive Sports co-founder and coach Terry Hazlett. “I think most, if not all, of the athletes’ parents realized their child would not be able to transition to play sports with typical kids because of a more limited skill set.”
When they began, most of the athletes were still school-age. Now, many of that original group are in their 30s, and participants range from as young as 5 to as old as their late 60s.
“For the first few years, when we fielded up to five baseball teams, the teams were determined by age group,” Hazlett says. “But we eventually realized that age had little to do with ability, so age isn’t even a consideration now. And the older athletes are surprisingly patient and engaging with the younger ones.”
The goal has always been for the athletes to get out and have fun and to create a network of support for families.
“I don’t think being successful was ever our goal, at least in terms of having a winning team or producing great athletes,” says Hazlett. “Adaptive Sports has always been every bit as much a social organization as it is a sports group. Our goal was to have the kids experience sports – however modified it had to be – and to have a lot of fun.”
After 24 years, the group is still going strong and providing joy for the athletes and their families.
“This is very much a parent-run organization, so it’s the parent group as a whole that created and tweaked Adaptive Sports over the years,” Hazlett notes. “I will say that I never imagined it would evolve into a year-round experience for parents and their athletes alike.” While the athletes enjoy all of the activities, games, dances and special events, Adaptive Sports is equally important for parents, providing a constant networking event for them to learn from other parents what services are available to help special needs families. “Adaptive Sports is just the catalyst – some of the athletes go to movies together, some of the mothers have monthly dinners, and some of the dads golf on occasion. Coach Don Campbell has always said Adaptive Sports is everyone’s second family,” says Hazlett.
The annual registration fee of $40 covers uniforms, equipment, free miniature golf and bowling, baseball photos, field and room rentals, catering, and free Kennywood and Wild Things days. The group’s main fundraiser is an annual banquet, and this year included a very successful charity bingo night.
“We do accept donations, and some companies in Washington County have been very generous,” says Hazlett. “However, the best thing the community can do for Adaptive Sports is to spread the word. So many parents have told us their child was so isolated before they joined Adaptive Sports. Since they came on board, they’ve developed lifelong friendships and a real feeling of belonging in the community. When we have our banquet, the athletes are so excited when they hoist the trophies over their head that I guarantee you there isn’t a dry eye in the house.”
From the beginning, the two fathers set a goal of providing special needs kids with the same social and sports experiences as their siblings or classmates. The only difference is that Adaptive Sports is all about camraderie as opposed to competition.
“One night I’ll never forget is when we had a soccer practice on a Friday before a Super Bowl,” Hazlett remembers. “I brought a small sound system and played lots of upbeat party songs while the athletes played soccer. Well, the athletes started singing all the songs and some were dancing while playing soccer. And pretty soon the coaches and some of the parents were singing and dancing, too. That’s exactly what we’re about.”
Adaptive Sports can be reached at 724-344-3430 or 724-467-3990, or at Adaptive Sports, c/o 150 Malone Ridge Road, Washington, PA, 15301.