Austin College Announces Creation of Para-Athlete Honor Wall
SHERMAN, Texas - Austin College and the 'Roo athletics department is proud to announce the creation of the Austin College Para-Athlete Honor Wall, recognizing those who had the athletic courage to compete at the collegiate level in an able-bodied sport as a member of the para-athlete community.
SHERMAN, Texas - Austin College and the 'Roo athletics department is proud to announce the creation of the Austin College Para-Athlete Honor Wall, recognizing those who had the athletic courage to compete at the collegiate level in an able-bodied sport as a member of the para-athlete community.
The College is now accepting nominations for the Para-Athlete Honor Wall for former para-athletes who competed for at least one year as a varsity athlete for the 'Roos. The para-athlete should qualify under the classification set forth by the International Paralympics Committee, with the minimum qualifications defined by the IPC as such:
"Minimum Impairment Criteria must ensure that an athlete's Eligible Impairment affects the extent to which the athlete is able to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport.
Examples of Minimum Impairment Criteria are a maximum height defined for athletes with short stature, or a level of amputation defined for athletes with limb deficiency.
Minimum impairment criteria should be defined on the basis of scientific research, which assesses the impact of impairments on the sport's activities. As sports require different activities, the Minimum Impairment Criteria are also specific for each sport. Consequently, an athlete may meet the criteria in one sport, but may not meet the criteria in another."
Other qualifications for impairment include impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of motion, and vision impairment, among others, with the full eligibility criteria available to view on the official IPC website. Austin College welcomes nominees, which can be submitted to athletics@austincollege.edu, with an aim toward beginning this recognition at the completion of the 2023-2024 academic year. When submitting a nomination, please provide a brief summary of the nominee's classification as a para-athlete, and please note that athletic success/accolades will not be a heavily-weighted factor. We hope you will join us in celebrating and honoring these courageous para-athletes from throughout Austin College's athletics history, as well as into its future.