For more information about the
National Veterans Wheelchair Games, or to track events as they happen, visit
http://www. As a continuation of Disabled
Sports USA's 38 year history of rebuilding the lives of disabled
veterans, UCO will partner with DS/USA to host U. In addition to the multitude of competitive sports offered
this year, the staff of the Endeavor Games has added a day to the
event to accommodate training clinics for athletes, volunteers and
coaches.

held which

These soldiers have put their lives on the
line for freedom, and we will to be there to help them in their hour
of need," said Kirk Bauer, executive director of Disabled Sports USA. UCO is proud to now
be offering these exciting programs and is looking forward to adding
more programs and events in the future, all for the benefit of
physically disabled athletes.dsusa.

8 held

National Veterans Wheelchair Games Come to Minneapolis

Trap shooting, golf and a power wheelchair relay will be
exhibition events this year.
Many of the events will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center, also
the site for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

lists disabled

Commemorative activities are also planned recognizing the 25th year of the
event . The sixth annual
Endeavor Games will take place in Edmond, Oklahoma, June 9-12, and
offers anyone with a physical disability the opportunity to experience
a variety of sports, including wheelchair basketball, archery,
powerlifting, shooting, tennis, table tennis, softball, swimming,
boccia and track and field events. Participation in the Games has more than tripled since
inception; approximately 300 disabled athletes from all over the world
are expected to participate in 2005. Olympic Committee , DS/USA conducts
regional, national and international training camps and competitions
to prepare athletes for the Paralympic Games -- the international
Olympic-sanctioned competitions for athletes with physical
disabilities. DS/USA also offers sports rehabilitation programs
through its nationwide network of over 80 community-based chapters.

disabled were

WASHINGTON, More than 500 disabled veterans will
compete in the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world, the 25th
National Veterans Wheelchair Games, June 27 - July 1 in Minneapolis.
"Disabled Sports USA is proud to partner with the University of
Central Oklahoma to sponsor this event and host as special guests our
fine service men and women.

18 were

Thursday, June 30 is "Kids Day at the Games," when local
children will visit with the athletes and learn about wheelchair sports. "With the support of DS/USA, I know I will have all the
encouragement and physical training I need to once again try the
sports I love, and I am even looking forward to some friendly
competition at the event. The organization is the nation's largest multi-sport,
multi -disability organization and serves more than 60,000 people
nationwide.

wheelchair games

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Oklahoma Chapter of Disabled Sports USA Supports
American War Veterans and Their Families' Participation
in Fifteen Sport, Weekend-Long Event in Edmond

The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), a chapter of Disabled
Sports USA (DS/USA), today announced the 2005 Endeavor Games for
Athletes with Physical Disabilities, an event created to teach people
with disabilities participation in adaptive sports."
Participants in the Games will also be invited to the Opening
Ceremony on Friday, June 10, at the Hamilton Field House, UCO. "The entire City
of Edmond is rallying behind this unique opportunity and we hope to
provide the soldiers with a weekend full of inspiration and
opportunity.

lists games

The Wheelchair Games, presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), are open to all U. military
veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord
injuries, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility
impairments . Thomas, Lake
Harriett, the Ft. Snelling soccer fields and Como Park.
"We are honored to have the chance to host these amazing soldiers
for the weekend at the Endeavor Games," said Katrina Shaklee ,
assistant director of UCO Disabled Sports and Events.htm

About UCO Sports and Events

UCO Disabled Sports and Events is a division of the Wellness
Center on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma.

disabled october

University of Central Oklahoma Hosts U.S. Soldiers Injured in Iraq at the Sixth Annual Endeavor Games

S.ucok.

news wheelchair

"
At the Games, veterans will compete in track and field, swimming,
basketball, weightlifting, softball, air guns, quad-rugby, 9-ball, bowling,
table tennis, archery, handcycling, a motorized rally, wheelchair slalom and
power soccer. The
University is also sponsoring a luncheon on Saturday, June 11, and a
banquet on Saturday night where a video of the 2005 competition will
be screened."
Sponsors of the event include: title sponsor, University of
Central Oklahoma; platinum sponsor, Valir Rehabilitation Hospital;
diamond sponsors, Disabled Sports USA and the Wounded Warriors
Project; and gold sponsors, Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics and Renda
Broadcasting. The Sports Group's first "endeavor" was the organization of
the Endeavor Games, which was held for the first time in 2000.S.

events 8

At the Opening Ceremonies on
June 27, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson will deliver remarks,
along with PVA National President Randy L . Athletes are encouraged to
participate in more than one event, and Olympic-style gold, silver and
bronze medals for first, second and third place will be awarded in
each event. I also know that they will have such
a positive experience at the UCO Endeavor Games and will leave knowing
that they can still accomplish their dreams in life.

games 1999

soldiers who were
severely injured during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as special
guests at the event.
"Immediately after I was injured in Iraq , I never even dreamed of
participating in an event like the Endeavor Games," said Army Spc.
Kevin Pannell, 1st Cavalry division, 9th regiment, who lost both legs
-- above the knee on the left side and below the knee on the right --
in Bagdhad.

About Disabled Sports USA

Founded in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans, Disabled Sports USA
provides opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities to
gain confidence and dignity through sports, recreation and educational
programs .org

october by

"We are proud of these talented athletes, our volunteers who make these
Games possible and the communities that open their doors and their hearts to
these heroes," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. Pleva, Sr.
For athletes interested in participating in the event ,
registration and additional background information can be found at
www. Since
then, The Sports Group added numerous programs, such as the Endeavor
Games, BlazeSports Edmond, the Oklahoma Amputeee Golf Tournament, U
Kan Ski and is a member of the Paralympic Academy.

news zealand

Veterans
from the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will join the other
competitors at the Games this year.S. The Minneapolis VA Medical Center and
the PVA Minnesota Chapter are hosting the 2005 Games. Pleva Sr.

1999 competitions

Beginning June 30, individual news releases and photos of the athletes
will be available on the Games' web site.org. In total, more than 20 soldiers and their
families will participate.

events held

Most importantly, I know that my
participation in sports will inspire others who are overcoming their
physical disabilities .edu/wellnesscenter/ds_home.

which wheelchair

Sports are important in the therapy used to treat many
disabilities . "The Games also
serve as a stage where we can show the world what we can do -- to soar far
beyond any physical limitations we might have and reach previously unimagined
levels of success. A special first-time
wheelchair sports demonstration will be held at the Mall of America on
Wednesday, June 29."
The Endeavor Games were created because of recognition that there
was a need for a multi -sport event for athletes with physical
disabilities. The special guests will participate in hands -on instruction
courses in wheelchair fencing, sit volleyball, wheelchair basketball,
swimming and the Third Annual First Step Clinic, an inspiring session
for amputees who wish to participate in track and field events.

disabled october

The 25th National Veterans Wheelchair Games kick off June 27 with a
wheelchair basketball demonstration at Peavey Plaza, as well as the 2005
Disabled Sports, Recreation and Fitness Expo.
From June 27 - July 1, actress Bo Derek, Honorary Chairperson of VA's
National Rehabilitation Special Events, will attend the events to visit with
athletes and present medals.

Other venues include South
Town Bowl, Eden Prarie Bowl, McMurry Field, Metro Gun Club, Braemar Golf
Course, the University of Minnesota, the University of St.
The 25th National Veterans Wheelchair Games would not be possible without
the support of many local and national corporations, foundations and
organizations that generously support this event. A member of the U.

date which

wheelchairgames.

competitions 8

For many injured veterans, the Wheelchair Games provide their
first exposure to wheelchair athletics. In
December of 2004, UCO absorbed The Sports Group, which was created in
2000 to provide quality sports programs to athletes from Oklahoma and
beyond.

bodybuilding events

Military Writers/News Editors/Sports Editors

EDMOND , Okla.
More information is available at www.

page bodybuilding

"Year after year, the rehabilitative nature of the Games provides endless
opportunities for our wheelchair athletes to pursue their athletic goals and
dreams," said PVA National President Randy L.
"As a disabled Vietnam veteran, I know that their adjustment back to
normal life will be challenging.

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