The school partnered with Angel City Sports, a Southern California-based Paralympic organization, to host Courage Weekend, an adaptive sports event for active-duty service members, veterans and first responders Oct. 19. The event offered free athletic training and sports competitions for participants with and without disabilities, promoting physical fitness, athletic achievement and camaraderie within the veteran and first responder communities.
Roughly 200 athletes participated over the weekend, competing across 10 adaptive sports, including boccia, disc golf, pickleball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, sitting volleyball and archery. Admission was free for all participants, and food vendors Luna Grill and Pizza Hut offered meals for athletes and spectators. Music was performed by singer-songwriter Standen Evans, while Fox 11 and KTTV anchor Sandra Endo served as event host.
Head of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Ari Engelberg ’89 initially said the school had reached out to Angel City Sports in order to highlight how its athletic facilities could serve as a valuable resource for the broader community.
“We approached Angel City when we were developing the plans for River Park because we wanted to build early and strong partnerships with community sports organizations that could take advantage of the facilities there when they aren’t being used by HW athletes,” Engelberg said. “Our goal is nothing more than to share our facilities with deserving groups and individuals.”
Charles Whitehead is the President of the Paralyzed Veterans of America California, an organization which partners with Angel City Sports. Whitehead said he believes that showcasing the athletic capabilities of individuals with physical disabilities is important.
“The goal of this event is to get more first responders and veterans to be more involved in sports and community events and to show that people with physical disabilities can remain active,” Whitehead said.
Participating athlete Allen Fowkes said the event had strong ties to the school and described the campus facilities as a welcoming venue for adaptive sports.
“[Angel City] has worked with [the school] for a few years, so they have a really good relationship,” Fowkes said. “I really like the facility. Everything is accessible and it seems they have everything worked out for this event.”