On Saturday, February 22, 2025, adaptive athletes from across the Upper Peninsula gathered at the MTU Student Development Center for an Adaptive Track and Field Clinic, co-sponsored by KIP. This clinic was hosted by “I Am An Athlete Too”, a nonprofit established by Houghton native Maria Velat to lobby the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) to create an adaptive division for middle and high school track and field, and to raise up and support adaptive athletes to join their school sports teams. The clinic was led by Amie Day, a Paralympian and track coach for the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association, as well as the University of Michigan Adaptive Sports and Fitness department. Athletes, coaches, family members and support personnel learned about the basics of racing, how to maintain equipment, how to cultivate an athlete mindset and deal with stress, and modified strength and conditioning programs. The day ended with a mini-track meet! KIP students volunteered to make the day a resounding success!
“I volunteered to help set up for the track and field clinic and have also volunteered with Maria at her other adaptive sports events like the E.L.K. Sled hockey event. It is truly amazing to see the impact that “I Am An Athlete Too” and E.L.K. have on the adaptive athlete community. It is always so much fun volunteering and participating in these events,” says Ella House a KIP Exercise Science Student. ‘It was great to see so many people supporting our local adaptive athletes. I learned a lot about racing chair maintenance, adapting workouts, and local opportunities for adaptive athletics. Overall a good experience both as a volunteer and as a community member”, says Leah Berkey a KIP Exercise Science Student.