Adaptive Athletics Reward Life-Changing Determination

As proud alumni, we enjoy supporting our UC student-athletes as they compete at the highest level of intercollegiate competition. But did you know that our student-athlete family includes an impressive group of Bearcats who have navigated unique personal and physical challenges on their road to competing in collegiate athletics? They’re part of UC’s Adaptive Athletics program, which was started in 2024 to provide a similar competitive opportunity to students with physical disabilities.

I was reminded of this UC success story while watching our first two Bearcat adaptive student-athlete graduates, Mikiahya Green and Lydia Yax, receive associate degrees during last month’s Spring Commencement; both are now pursuing their bachelor’s degrees. The program, which currently offers Wheelchair Tennis and Para Track and Field with plans to add other sports, has become a draw for adaptive student-athletes looking for a full college experience. Cincinnati has a thriving adaptive athletics community in which Bearcats play a major role. For example, local nonprofit and UC Adaptive Athletics partner The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Recreation is a hub of opportunity and resources; its co-founder and executive director, Danny Meyer, CAHS ’14, ’17 received an Outstanding Alumni Award at our UC Alumni Celebration in April.

Beyond supporting students in this way, UC Adaptive Athletics taps into our trademark innovative spirit, including the design and development of customized sports equipment for each athlete, sometimes in collaboration with biomedical engineering students. The entire experience is also instructive for those without physical disabilities but who want to learn athletic training skills or support their friends or family members.

Our university’s primary purpose is to offer its students the means to fulfill their potential, which in turn enriches the greater community. The Adaptive Athletics program is doing both — delivering transformative opportunities while exemplifying the determination and excellence that define Bearcats.

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