U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, has announced that Michigan State University Demmer Center has been recognized as a BRONZE level club as a part of the Paralympic Sport Club Excellence Program, which also recognizes 36 other clubs across the country.
Created in 2013, the excellence program is designed to support Paralympic Sport Clubs as they evolve their sport programming in areas such as athlete identification and coaching education, and recognize their contributions to growing the Paralympic Movement in the United States.
“At the United States Olympic Committee, we are committed to supporting U.S. Paralympic athletes in achieving sustained competitive excellence,” said Rick Adams, USOC chief of Paralympic sport and NGB organizational development. “Today, we are proud to recognize the Paralympic Sport Clubs that have achieved their own excellence by working locally to help develop athletes and coaches from grassroots to the Paralympic Games. The continued commitment we receive from our local partners makes U.S. Paralympics athletes and coaches stronger on all levels.”
The multi-tier excellence program has benchmarks at the bronze, silver and gold levels to give participating clubs a blueprint for transitioning from a basic provider (bronze level) to an elite provider (gold level) of Paralympic programming. After a Paralympic Sport Club completes a level, the club will be eligible to receive recognition and an award designated for the bronze, silver or gold level. Clubs designated as gold or silver receive a stipend for programming, while bronze-level clubs receive recognition banners.
“As a Bronze Level of Excellence, the Demmer Center is developing a community-based sport club that recruits and involves diverse youth and adults with physical and visual disabilities in sports and physical activities regardless of skill level or interest," said Glen Bennett, archery coordinator and MSU Team coach.
For a complete list of clubs participating in the excellence program and their level, click here. Participation is open and voluntary to all Paralympic Sport Clubs. All participating clubs must start at the bronze level before moving to the silver and gold levels.