SPORTS & PROGRAMS
Something for Everyone: Recreational & Competitive Adaptive Sports
Get in the Game!
365 days a year, GLASA has something to offer through our adaptive sports programs. No one sits on the sidelines at GLASA. Become a monthly or annual member to participate in all of the GLASA programs. Scholarships are available. Connect with a GLASA team member and we can help get you in the game!
GLASA Programs
New to GLASA? Contact the GLASA office by email or calling 847.283.0908.
If you are interested in trying your first GLASA program, sign up for a 30-day free trial.
Become a
GLASA member
Equipment Lending
Need equipment? We’ve got you covered. Our team is here to help you get in the game!
Ability Awareness Program
We would love to come give a presentation and share our passion for inclusion. Learn more about our program.
Thank You Program Partners!
Let’s play!
With more than 20+ adaptive sports programs to get involved with, there is something for everyone at GLASA. We offer adaptive recreational and competitive sports for ages 3-75+.
Archery
About: Archery is open to everyone. Athletes may participate in Archery in a standing, bracing or sitting position.
How to Engage: GLASA provides instruction, assistance with adapting the archery motion, compound bows, arrows and additional adaptive archery equipment.
Youth, Teen & Adult (Ages 8+) - Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Coach: Mac Stevenson
Upcoming Events:
Boccia
About: Boccia is one of two Paralympic sports that does not have an Olympic counterpart. It is a game of strategy and accuracy for individuals with impairments that affect motor skills.
How to Engage: Boccia is played on a flat, smooth surface, where athletes must throw or roll colored balls as close as possible to the white target ball, known as the jack.
Youth, Teen & Adult - Wheelchair & Ambulatory - Open Division Only
Upcoming Events:
Conditioning
About: Conditioning incorporates elements from several sports and types of exercise to support the overall health and wellness of GLASA athletes.
How to Engage: Workouts are modified to allow each athlete to achieve their goals while working to increase their physical well-being and cardiovascular fitness.
Teen & Adult – Wheelchair, Ambulatory & Visual Impairments
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Dave Michael
Functional Fitness Coach: Greg Grigoropoulos
Upcoming Events:
Goalball
About: Goalball is a Paralympic sport designed specifically for athletes with a visual impairment. Players compete in teams of three, throwing a ball that has bells embedded in it down the court to attempt to score a goal. Their opponents, using their bodies to defend the goal, try to stop the ball from being scored.
How to Engage: Athletes participate while wearing blindfolds, and tactile markings on the court are provided to aid with orientation. Blindfolds, elbow pads, knee pads and team uniforms are provided.
Youth, Teen & Adult (Ages 12+) - Visual Impairments & Blind
Coaches:Dan Galvin, Jeff Lichwa & Nan Rush
Upcoming Events:
Golf
About: Whether you are looking to learn the basics or improve your game, join us at the driving range or play 18 holes on the golf course.
How to Engage: Beginner to elite athletes are welcome. GLASA provides golf clubs, instruction and adaptive golf carts to make the sport of golf accessible to all.
Youth, Teen & Adult – Wheelchair, Ambulatory & Visual Impairments
Coach:Patrick Byrne
Upcoming Events:
Injured Military
Additional programs and services may include:
- Adaptive Sports Clinics at Hines VA, Jesse Brown VA, Lovell VA, and Milwaukee VA
- Certified Coaching
- Competition and Training
- One-on-One Assessment
- Education and Instruction
- Equipment Lending
- Leisure Planning
- Peer Mentoring
Upcoming Events:
Marathon
About: GLASA is officially accepting applications for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon! Gain a guaranteed entry to the race by fundraising for the GLASA mission. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon hosts thousands of racers who choose to make their experience more meaningful by running or rolling on behalf of a charity.
How to Engage: Any questions about the GLASA BOA Chicago Marathon Team, please contact Kelly Candotti Habas. Apply here to join Team GLASA for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon!
Teen & Adult (Ages 16+) - Wheelchair, Ambulatory & Able-Bodied
Coach: Hannah Sperry
Upcoming Events:
Pickleball
Pickleball
About:Pickleball is a paddle sport played using a perforated, plastic ball over a tennis-type net on a badminton-sized court. The game can be played in a singles or doubles format. Wheelchair pickleball is played similarly to the game of stand up pickleball. One difference is wheelchair athletes may allow the ball to bounce twice before returning it to the other side of the net and the wheelchair is considered part of the athlete’s body during play.
Instruction is provided on rules, strategy and technique.
How to Engage:
Sport chairs are available to use upon request.
Youth, Teen & Adult (Ages 6+) - Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Coach: "Pickleball Pete" Peterson
Powerlifting
About: Train with GLASA with support from a National Strength & Conditioning Association certified specialist and Paralympic powerlifting coaches.
How to Engage: For competition, the bench press is the sport’s single discipline, with 10 different categories based on body weight. Competitors must lower the bar to the chest, hold it motionless on the chest and then press it upwards to arm’s length with locked elbows.
Teen & Adult
Coach: Jim Greco & Charlie Nabor
Upcoming Events:
Power Soccer
About: Power soccer is an adaptive sport specifically designed for individuals that use power wheelchairs. Power soccer showcases the speed, skill and intensity of traditional soccer.
How to Engage: The sport is played indoors on a gym floor and power wheelchairs are equipped with guards to advance the ball down the court.
Youth, Teen & Adult (Ages 8+) - Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Coach: David Rodriguez
Upcoming Events:
Road Racing
About: GLASA athletes participate in several 5K, 10K, half and full marathon races during the year including the GLASA Twilight Run/Walk/Roll each fall.
How to Engage: Athletes can participate using a racing wheelchair or by running in events. Athletes interested in road racing are also encouraged to be a part of the track program to learn technique and proper training methods. Many athletes participate with Team GLASA at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon each October.
Teen & Adult - Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Coach: Amie Day
Upcoming Events:
Shooting
About: Gain practical skills in the art of shooting and marksmanship at the GLASA Shooting program. GLASA provides air rifles, targets, tables, chairs and pellets.
How to Engage: Stands are provided as needed to assist with holding the air rifle up.
Youth, Teen & Adult (Ages 8+) - Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Coach:Tom Daily
Upcoming Events:
Sled Hockey
About: GLASA is part of the Falcons Hockey Association with both competitive and recreational sled hockey teams. Sled hockey follows most of the rules of ice hockey except for equipment. Able-bodied hockey players are encouraged to support as pushers for sled hockey athletes.
How to Engage: Players sit in fitted sleds that sit on top of two hockey skate blades. There are two sticks for each player and the sticks have metal pics on the end for players to propel themselves on the ice.
Youth, Teen & Adult - Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Coach: Andy Burkhart, Mike Reinhart, Adam Rosuck
Upcoming Events:
Sleds Are Coming
Sleds Are Coming
The Lake Forest College Athletic Department and Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association will host the annual Sleds Are Coming exhibition sled hockey event at the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse & Ice Rink at Lake Forest College. The event is free to attend and no registratio...
Swim
About: Competitive and learn-to-swim programs are available for GLASA athletes. Many athletes strive to swim with a club or high school, and the GLASA program helps to fulfill that desire.
How to Engage: The competitive swim program is designed for athletes who can swim at least 50 meters consecutively and can be completely independent while in the water without volunteer or coach assistance needed.
The learn-to-swim program is for individuals age 8+ who have a physical or visual disability that are new to swimming, Athletes will have a one-on-one volunteer swim instructor.
Youth, Teen & Adult (Ages 8+) - Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Coaches:Katee Housner, Kelly Linneman, Peter Alexander, Isabella Palmerio & Alexis Donnan
Tennis
About: Instruction is provided for beginner, intermediate and tournament level players who are ambulatory or use a manual or power chair. Tennis is a year-round adaptive sport.
How to Engage: Tennis sport chairs are available to use upon request.
Youth, Teen & Adult (Ages 6+) - Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Tournaments: GLASA Chicago Wheelchair Classic Tennis Tournament September 13 - 15, 2024
Coaches: Mike Carrico & Paul Moran
Adaptive Tennis
Adaptive Tennis
Instruction is provided for all levels of athletes age 6+ who are ambulatory, use a manual or power chair. Sports chairs are available upon request. Recreational and youth practice is from 2-3:00 PM. Intermediate and tournament level practice is from 2-4:00 PM.
Adaptive Tennis
Adaptive Tennis
Instruction is provided for all levels of athletes age 6+ who are ambulatory, use a manual or power chair. Sports chairs are available upon request. Recreational and youth practice is from 2-3:00 PM. Intermediate and tournament level practice is from 2-4:00 PM.
Track & Field
About: GLASA provides a continuum of coaching for both ambulatory and wheelchair track and field from the beginner to elite level athlete.
How to Engage: Being part of Team GLASA provides access to equipment, cross-training, dedicated coaches with Paralympic experience, logistical assistance, individual goal setting, and a schedule of competitions based on the caliber of the athlete.
Youth, Teen & Adult - Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Coaches: Amie Day, Randy Housner, Gail Daily, Brea Perron, Brock Masters, Steve Smith & Kara Bolton
Virtual Programs
About: The roller workouts provide a variety of pushes to enhance speed, cardio and endurance for the beginner to the competitive racer.
How to Engage: Live classes are available during the track season and virtual classes throughout the year. GLASA's wheelchair track coach and 2000 Wheelchair Track Paralympian, Amie Day, is a Level 1 USATF coach and holds a United States Paralympic Track and Field certification.
Teen & Adult - Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Coach: Amie Day
Upcoming Events:
Wheelchair Basketball
About: Wheelchair basketball is played by individuals with varying physical disabilities. GLASA Wheelchair Basketball is made up of three teams: a Junior Prep Division team, a Varsity Division team and adult recreational team.
Practices are currently held on Sundays from 12:30-2:30 PM at Midtown Bannockburn. See below for upcoming practices.
Practices/scrimmages for adults and advanced players are conducted on Thursdays from 6-7:30PM at Midtown Bannockburn.
How to Engage: Players will use a sport chair provided by GLASA or use their own sport chair.
Youth, Teen & Adults (Ages 6+) - Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Tournaments: TBD
Coaches: Miles Hill and Alec Tranel
Upcoming Events:
Wheelchair Football
About: Wheelchair football offers both a recreational team and a competitive team, the GLASA Chicago Bears Wheelchair Football Team. The competitive team travels to tournaments nationally as part of the USA Wheelchair Football League and tryouts are offered annually.
How to Engage: Wheelchair football players work on quick and powerful movements, such as cutting, blocking, sprinting and tackling (two-hand touch), which builds cardiovascular and muscular strength. Individuals who are ambulatory, use a manual or power wheelchair, or have no disability are all welcome. Sport chairs are available.
Teen & Adult – Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Tournaments: GLASA USAWFL Chicago Football Tournament August 18 - 20, 2023
Coaches: Jason Sfire & Daniel Venus
Yoga
About: Traditional yoga poses are adapted to meet the needs of all participants rather than fitting or forcing the body into a particular pose.
How to Engage: Adaptive yoga techniques are used to get each participant down on the mat, out of their shoes and out of their chair! Class sizes are small to provide one-on-one assistance.
Youth, Teen & Adult – Wheelchair, Ambulatory & Visual Impairments
Coaches: Areta Verschoor & Ana Holland Krawec
Other: Cycling, Judo, Kayaking, Sailing & Water Skiing
Water Ski
About: Adaptive water ski offers a unique opportunity for individuals with mobility, visual or other impairments to experience the joys and benefits of water sports in Southern Wisconsin.
How to Engage: The GLASA water ski program is a partnership with H2O Adaptive Sports. Sit-skis, stand-up skis and other adaptive equipment is available. No prior experience is needed.
Youth, Teen & Adult – Wheelchair, Ambulatory & Visual Impairments
Coach: H2O Adaptive Sports Team
Cycling
About: Work to build your endurance, increase your speed, and improve your technique while enjoying being outside.
How to Engage: Adaptive cycles are available as needed, including hand cycles, catrike bikes, tandem bikes and foot-powered three-wheelers.
Youth, Teen & Adults – Wheelchair, Ambulatory & Visual Impairments
Coaches: Cindy Housner & Randy Housner
EQUIPMENT LENDING PROGRAM
ACCESS ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT. ANYWHERE. ANYTIME.
GLASA Athletes: Based on availability, GLASA provides adaptive sports equipment for the sports of wheelchair basketball, wheelchair track and roadracing, field, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair pickleball, boccia, and sled hockey if the athlete has a membership and is registered in one of our programs. Depending on the sport, equipment may be stored by the athlete or by GLASA.
Non GLASA-Athletes: Additional equipment of handcycles, recumbent catrike bicycles and tandems may be available for use.
Prior to equipment lending, athletes must meet with GLASA for fitting, training and safety briefing. For more information, please contact by email or call 847.283.0908.
GLASA ABILITY AWARENESS PROGRAM
ADAPTIVE SPORTS OUTREACH & EDUCATION
Do you work with a school or community group that wants to learn more about adaptive sports and the Paralympic movement? The GLASA Ability Awareness Program offers opportunities to work with schools and community organizations to support youth with physical or visual disabilities and champion the ability for students to successfully participate in school athletics.
ATHLETICS FOR ALL
Do you want to participate in after-school athletics or compete on your high school sports team? GLASA provides tools and guidelines for coaches, athletic directors and school administrators to include students with physical disabilities in interscholastic sports.
Participate. Compete. Thrive.
GLASA offers ability awareness resources year-round to support our athletes and our community to support inclusivity. For more information or to request a GLASA speaker or adaptive sports demonstration, email or call 847.283.0908.
How can we help?
The GLASA Ability Awareness Program can be customized to meet the needs of your school or organization.
