Indestructible rugby wheelchairs without spokes and basketball chairs with shorter turn radiuses were put to use by people with disabilities to play nine different sports on Saturday.
More than 100 people participated in the MSU Adapted Sports Festival, held at IM Sports-West, Jenison Field House and Demonstration Hall. Participants chose two sports to play, ranging from wheelchair rugby to adapted cycling. Other sports included boccie ball, tennis, swimming, wheelchair floor hockey, and martial arts.
"It's been very successful. Everyone showed up," said John Pedrazej, chairman of the festival committee. "The comments I've heard and the smiles I've seen both indicate the event went smoothly — no glitches."
Tony Rennpage, a general business administration and pre-law freshman, has played wheelchair basketball for five years and twice at the festival. He said he would like to start his own team.
"This event was perfect for people to get to know about sports for disabled people," Rennpage said. "We can still be athletic. My favorite part is being a teammate and getting to help them out."
Tennis chairs, racing chairs and hand cycles also were used.
The festival committee plans to continue the event and is encouraging students to get involved.
"We would like to have students take it over because they are better able to bring students as volunteers and participants," Pedrazej said.
Some special education students participated as volunteers to become more familiar with their field.
"It's a great opportunity to get experience, and I like working with people, it's so rewarding," said special education senior Elena Strom.
Each participant received a T-shirt, book bag and lunch. The price was $10 for MSU students, faculty and staff. The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities organized the event and received donations from many campus organizations.
In addition to the sporting events, IM Sports-West also housed the Exhibitor Expo, a showcase of different rehabilitation centers, equipment companies and athletic teams. Claudia Brewer, who serves as recreational programmer in Southfield, was at the event displaying information about the city's National Wheelchair Basketball Association team, the Thunderbirds.
"A lot of kids here have never tried a sport, and we have athletes here that need a sport," Brewer said. "And it's a great awareness event for showing all different kinds of sports chairs."
