The American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, Inc. (AAASP) will recognize and honor athletes, coaches, influencers and organizations this Fall for their outstanding contributions to support student athletes with physical disabilities to get “off the sidelines and into the game.” The Adapted Sports Programs in Recreation and Education (ASPIRE) Awards honors individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions central to the mission of making adapted sports programming available to children and adolescents with physical disabilities and contributing to their physical, social and intellectual well-being. 

The ASPIRE Awards were established in 2018 to recognize those who support and advocate on behalf of adapted sports. The awards showcase those who stand as role models; individuals; companies and organizations that have taken a proactive and innovative path in support of competitive sports programs for student athletes with physical disabilities. Through these programs, student athletes with physical disabilities across the nation reap the physical, social emotional and academic benefits of competitive athletics resulting in personal and social empowerment. NFHS Director of Sports Sandy Searcy currently serves on the AAASP Board of Directors.

Winners are chosen through an application process; AAASP will accept nominations from April 1st – August 1st this year.  The ASPIRE Award Nominations and Recipients will be announced in October.   Anyone can nominate a Coach, Organization, Recreation Program, School or Volunteer that has made a significant contribution in any of the following categories:

• Advocacy Award – individual or organization
• Education-Based Award – school or school district program
• Community-Based Award – Recreation Department, YMCA, Club program or other 
• Leadership Award – individual or organization
• Media Award – news organization
• The Gail Hendricks Volunteerism Award – individual
• Outstanding Male Athletes of the Year – individual participating in the program
• Outstanding Female Athletes of the Year – individual participating in the program
• High School Senior Athlete Award – individual
• Coach of the Year Award – individual participating in the program
• Leslie Sweatman Official of the Year Award – individual

To nominate a program or person, or to learn more about the awards, please visit:  https://adaptedsports.org/aaasp-aspire-awards/.