Our History: A Story in Three Acts
The story of Penn State Adaptive Athletics is one of resilience, evolution, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Here is a look at how the program was built, how it weathered a critical transition, and where we are heading next.
Our History:
A Story in Three Acts
The story of Penn State Adaptive Athletics is one of resilience, evolution, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Here is a look at how the program was built, how it weathered a critical transition, and where we are heading next.
Act I: Establishing Excellence
(1999 - 2019)
The program began in 1999 with a visionary concept: that adaptive athletes are elite athletes. Under the leadership of Coach Teri Jordan, "Ability Athletics" became a national powerhouse housed within Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA). It was an era defined not by lavish resources, but by grit and a pioneering spirit. Through sheer determination, the program set the standard for collegiate adaptive sports, producing multiple Paralympians, American records, and a legacy of high-performance competition.
Rohan Murphy "No Excuses" Nike Commercial
Rohan Murphy "Mission Possible" with Eric LeGrand
Team USA Athlete
Rohan Murphy '06
Rohan Murphy is a nationally recognized motivational speaker and a testament to the power of perseverance within the Penn State community. A 2006 graduate with a degree in Kinesiology, Rohan began his athletic journey as a walk-on for the Penn State wrestling team. Despite being a double leg amputee, his determination and skill earned him a spot on the roster, where he went on to earn three varsity letters and become a fixture of Nittany Lion wrestling under Coach Troy Sunderland.
While competing at Penn State, Rohan also excelled on the international stage as a powerlifter. He represented the United States at the 2006 IPC World Powerlifting Championships in South Korea, where he won a bronze medal in the 56kg Junior Division. His incredible story of resilience caught the attention of Nike, leading to his feature in the brand’s iconic "No Excuses" commercial campaign.
Athletic Achievement: 3-time Varsity Letterman (PSU Wrestling); Bronze Medalist, 2006 IPC World Powerlifting Championships.
Professional: Motivational Speaker; featured by Nike, Sports Illustrated, and ABC News.
Education: B.S. Kinesiology, Penn State ('06).
Community: Travels nationally to inspire students and organizations to overcome adversity.
Team USA Paralympian
Maggie Redden '07
Maggie Redden is a celebrated athlete and advocate whose journey from Penn State to the world stage exemplifies the excellence of the Adaptive Athletics program. A 2007 graduate of the College of Communications, Maggie represented Team USA at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, competing in the 100m and 200m T53 track events. Her selection to the Paralympic team followed a dominant performance at the 2007 Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she captured two silver medals.
Beyond the track, Maggie has dedicated her career to public service and empowering the disability community. She served as Ms. Wheelchair New Jersey in 2013 and was selected as an Olympic Torchbearer for the 2004 Games. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Saint Peter’s University and currently works in municipal government in Virginia.
Athletic Achievement: 2008 Paralympian (Beijing); Double Silver Medalist, 2007 Parapan American Games.
Professional: Municipal Communications Professional; Ms. Wheelchair New Jersey (2013).
Education: B.A. Journalism, Penn State ('07); M.P.A., Saint Peter’s University ('10).
Community: Advisory Board Member, Rise Above: Friends of Adaptive Athletics PSU.
Team USA Paralympian
Kortney Clemons '06
Kortney Clemons is a history-making athlete and a decorated U.S. Army veteran whose resilience embodies the spirit of Penn State Adaptive Athletics. A 2008 graduate with a degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, Kortney holds the distinction of being the first Iraq War veteran to qualify for the U.S. Paralympic Team.
Serving as a combat medic in the 1st Cavalry Division, Kortney was injured by a roadside bomb in Baghdad in 2005 while administering aid to fellow soldiers, resulting in the loss of his right leg. Turning to sport for rehabilitation, he excelled in both powerlifting and track and field. His journey from the battlefield to elite athletic competition was documented in the award-winning film Warrior Champions and in his memoir, Amped: A Soldier’s Race for Gold in the Shadow of War. Kortney represented Team USA at the 2007 Parapan American Games and claimed a U.S. National Championship in the 100m (T42) in 2008.
Athletic Achievement: U.S. National Champion (100m, 2008); 2007 Parapan American Games Competitor.
Military: U.S. Army Combat Medic; Purple Heart Recipient; Author of Amped.
Education: B.S. Recreation, Park & Tourism Management, Penn State ('08); M.S. Education, University of Kansas ('12).
Community: Motivational Speaker and advocate for veterans and adaptive athletes
Team USA Paralympian
Jake Schrom '11
Jake Schrom is a powerful example of resilience and a dedicated leader within the Penn State alumni community. A 2011 graduate with a degree in Landscape Contracting, Jake’s journey to the world stage began after a life-altering accident during his junior year of college resulted in the amputation of his right leg. Returning to Penn State to complete his degree, he discovered adaptive sports and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the nation’s elite powerlifters.
Jake represented Team USA at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, where he placed 6th in the men’s 107kg weight class with a personal best lift of 218kg (480 lbs). His international career also includes a gold medal at the 2015 IPC Open Americas Championships and multiple appearances at the World Championships.
Athletic Achievement: 2020 Paralympian (Tokyo, 6th Place); Gold Medalist, 2015 IPC Open Americas Championships.
Professional: Senior Landscape Designer & Operations Manager, Cumberland Valley Tree Service.
Education: B.S. Landscape Contracting, Penn State ('11).
Community: Past President, Penn State Mont Alto Alumni Society; Peer Visitor for the Amputee Coalition.
Team USA Athlete
Max Rohn '16
Max Rohn is a decorated adaptive athlete and a U.S. Navy veteran whose journey exemplifies the resilience of the Penn State community. A 2016 graduate with a degree in Engineering, Max was a standout member of the Penn State Ability Athletics program, where he honed the skills that would take him to the international stage.
Max served as a Hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Navy, deploying to Fallujah, Iraq. In 2009, he was severely injured when his vehicle was struck by an RPG, leading to the amputation of his right leg below the knee. Refusing to let his injury define him, Max turned to track and field, becoming a dominant force in throwing events. He first gained global attention at the Invictus Games, capturing double gold medals in the discus and shot put in 2016.
Athletic Achievement: Silver Medalist, 2025 World Para Athletics Championships; Double Gold Medalist, 2016 Invictus Games.
Military/Professional: U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman (FMF); Purple Heart Recipient.
Education: B.S. Engineering, Penn State ('16).
Community: Warfighter Ambassador for Move United; Peer Mentor for injured veterans.
Team USA Athlete
Rohan Murphy '06
Rohan Murphy is a nationally recognized motivational speaker and a testament to the power of perseverance within the Penn State community. A 2006 graduate with a degree in Kinesiology, Rohan began his athletic journey as a walk-on for the Penn State wrestling team. Despite being a double leg amputee, his determination and skill earned him a spot on the roster, where he went on to earn three varsity letters and become a fixture of Nittany Lion wrestling under Coach Troy Sunderland.
While competing at Penn State, Rohan also excelled on the international stage as a powerlifter. He represented the United States at the 2006 IPC World Powerlifting Championships in South Korea, where he won a bronze medal in the 56kg Junior Division. His incredible story of resilience caught the attention of Nike, leading to his feature in the brand’s iconic "No Excuses" commercial campaign.
Athletic Achievement: 3-time Varsity Letterman (PSU Wrestling); Bronze Medalist, 2006 IPC World Powerlifting Championships.
Professional: Motivational Speaker; featured by Nike, Sports Illustrated, and ABC News.
Education: B.S. Kinesiology, Penn State ('06).
Community: Travels nationally to inspire students and organizations to overcome adversity.
Rohan Murphy "No Excuses" Nike Commercial
Rohan Murphy "Mission Possible" with Eric LeGrand
Team USA Paralympian
Maggie Redden '07
Maggie Redden is a celebrated athlete and advocate whose journey from Penn State to the world stage exemplifies the excellence of the Adaptive Athletics program. A 2007 graduate of the College of Communications, Maggie represented Team USA at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, competing in the 100m and 200m T53 track events. Her selection to the Paralympic team followed a dominant performance at the 2007 Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she captured two silver medals.
Beyond the track, Maggie has dedicated her career to public service and empowering the disability community. She served as Ms. Wheelchair New Jersey in 2013 and was selected as an Olympic Torchbearer for the 2004 Games. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Saint Peter’s University and currently works in municipal government in Virginia.
Athletic Achievement: 2008 Paralympian (Beijing); Double Silver Medalist, 2007 Parapan American Games.
Professional: Municipal Communications Professional; Ms. Wheelchair New Jersey (2013).
Education: B.A. Journalism, Penn State ('07); M.P.A., Saint Peter’s University ('10).
Community: Advisory Board Member, Rise Above: Friends of Adaptive Athletics PSU.
Team USA Paralympian
Kortney Clemons '06
Kortney Clemons is a history-making athlete and a decorated U.S. Army veteran whose resilience embodies the spirit of Penn State Adaptive Athletics. A 2008 graduate with a degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, Kortney holds the distinction of being the first Iraq War veteran to qualify for the U.S. Paralympic Team.
Serving as a combat medic in the 1st Cavalry Division, Kortney was injured by a roadside bomb in Baghdad in 2005 while administering aid to fellow soldiers, resulting in the loss of his right leg. Turning to sport for rehabilitation, he excelled in both powerlifting and track and field. His journey from the battlefield to elite athletic competition was documented in the award-winning film Warrior Champions and in his memoir, Amped: A Soldier’s Race for Gold in the Shadow of War. Kortney represented Team USA at the 2007 Parapan American Games and claimed a U.S. National Championship in the 100m (T42) in 2008.
Athletic Achievement: U.S. National Champion (100m, 2008); 2007 Parapan American Games Competitor.
Military: U.S. Army Combat Medic; Purple Heart Recipient; Author of Amped.
Education: B.S. Recreation, Park & Tourism Management, Penn State ('08); M.S. Education, University of Kansas ('12).
Community: Motivational Speaker and advocate for veterans and adaptive athletes
Team USA Paralympian
Jake Schrom '11
Jake Schrom is a powerful example of resilience and a dedicated leader within the Penn State alumni community. A 2011 graduate with a degree in Landscape Contracting, Jake’s journey to the world stage began after a life-altering accident during his junior year of college resulted in the amputation of his right leg. Returning to Penn State to complete his degree, he discovered adaptive sports and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the nation’s elite powerlifters.
Jake represented Team USA at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, where he placed 6th in the men’s 107kg weight class with a personal best lift of 218kg (480 lbs). His international career also includes a gold medal at the 2015 IPC Open Americas Championships and multiple appearances at the World Championships.
Athletic Achievement: 2020 Paralympian (Tokyo, 6th Place); Gold Medalist, 2015 IPC Open Americas Championships.
Professional: Senior Landscape Designer & Operations Manager, Cumberland Valley Tree Service.
Education: B.S. Landscape Contracting, Penn State ('11).
Community: Past President, Penn State Mont Alto Alumni Society; Peer Visitor for the Amputee Coalition.
Team USA Athlete
Max Rohn '16
Max Rohn is a decorated adaptive athlete and a U.S. Navy veteran whose journey exemplifies the resilience of the Penn State community. A 2016 graduate with a degree in Engineering, Max was a standout member of the Penn State Ability Athletics program, where he honed the skills that would take him to the international stage.
Max served as a Hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Navy, deploying to Fallujah, Iraq. In 2009, he was severely injured when his vehicle was struck by an RPG, leading to the amputation of his right leg below the knee. Refusing to let his injury define him, Max turned to track and field, becoming a dominant force in throwing events. He first gained global attention at the Invictus Games, capturing double gold medals in the discus and shot put in 2016.
Athletic Achievement: Silver Medalist, 2025 World Para Athletics Championships; Double Gold Medalist, 2016 Invictus Games.
Military/Professional: U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman (FMF); Purple Heart Recipient.
Education: B.S. Engineering, Penn State ('16).
Community: Warfighter Ambassador for Move United; Peer Mentor for injured veterans.
Act II: A Time of Transition
(2019 - 2022)
Following Coach Jordan’s retirement and the onset of the global pandemic, the program entered a period of change. Operations shifted to Student Affairs, and while formal competition paused, the spirit of the program endured. Student-athletes and a dedicated network of supporters kept the flame alive, ensuring the legacy of Penn State adaptive sports would not fade during this interim period.
Team USA Athlete
RJ Shirey '23
RJ Shirey is a home-grown success story and a standout alumnus of the Penn State Ability Athletics program. A 2023 graduate and State College native, RJ’s journey to athletic excellence began after a hunting accident at age 15 resulted in the loss of his right leg. Finding a new sense of purpose through adaptive sports, he developed into a formidable competitor in field events under the guidance of the Penn State coaching staff.
RJ capped his collegiate athletic career with a dominant performance at the 2023 Hartford Nationals, where he won two national titles. He took gold in both the shot put and javelin, setting career bests in both events. Beyond the field, RJ is a certified EMT and a motivational speaker who uses his platform to inspire others in the Centre County community and beyond.
Athletic Achievement: Double Gold Medalist (Shot Put & Javelin), 2023 Hartford Nationals.
Professional: Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); Motivational Speaker.
Education: B.S. Penn State University ('23).
Community: Local advocate for adaptive sports and hunting safety awareness.
Act III: A Foundation For the Future
(2019 - 2022)
Today, the program has returned to its home in Intercollegiate Athletics, marking a new era of growth. Fueled by a powerful partnership between university leadership and the "Rise Above" alumni coalition, Penn State Adaptive Athletics is rebuilding stronger than before. With renewed institutional support, new leadership, and active recruitment in Track & Field, Wheelchair Basketball, and Sled Hockey, we are laying a sustainable foundation to ensure Penn State remains a premier destination for adaptive excellence for generations to come.
Classes of 2028 & 2029
Current Penn State Adaptive Athletes
Back Row: Lucas Resch '29, Brenna O'Connor (Director of Penn State Adaptive Athletics), Lee Asher '29
Front Row: Max Malec '29, Jack Cunningham '29, Angel Guzman '29, Esther-Faith Henn '28
The New Era of Nittany Lion Excellence
The current roster of Penn State Adaptive Athletics represents a historic milestone in the university's commitment to sport, inclusion, and global competition. Comprising a "foundational class" of elite recruits from across the United States and abroad—stretching from the mountains of Colorado to the coast of California and across the Atlantic to Israel—these student-athletes are the first to compete under the program’s modern era of expansion.
Specializing in Wheelchair Racing, Ambulant Sprints, Field Events, and Sled Hockey, this group is defined by championship pedigree and academic ambition. Whether they are setting records on the track or making history on the ice, these athletes are not just representing the Blue and White; they are building the legacy of a program designed to be the premier destination for adaptive collegiate sports in the world.
Roster Highlights:
Pioneering Spirit: The Class of 2029 features the program's first official modern-era signees, setting a new standard for recruitment and competitive excellence.
International Reach: The program has evolved into a global destination, bringing together elite talent from Israel alongside domestic recruits from Colorado, Ohio, California, and Pennsylvania.
Dual-Sport Talent: Our athletes bridge the gap between seasonal sports, with competitors representing Penn State on both the track and the ice.
Beyond the Finish Line: Our athletes are as active in the community as they are in competition, serving as media creators, peer mentors, and advocates for the next generation of adaptive sports.
