Rise Above:
Friends of Penn State Adaptive Athletics
Rise Above:
Friends of Penn State Adaptive Athletics
News & Updates
An Evening with Adaptive Athletes and Terry Smith
Save the date for the 3rd Annual Rise Above Gala is set for Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. ...more
Program Updates
March 16, 2026•1 min read
From Dormancy to Determination: The Story Behind Rise Above
Rise Above was founded to restore Penn State's Adaptive Athletics program and give student-athletes of all abilities the chance to compete, belong, and thrive. Here's how it started. ...more
Program Updates
March 13, 2026•1 min read
More Than a Game: Angel Guzman, His Family, and the Power of Adaptive Sports
A highlight on Angel Guzman, a Penn State Adaptive Athlete who competes in sled hockey, track & wheelchair basketball. ...more
Athletes
January 16, 2026•4 min read
Our Athletes
Lee Asher '29
Binyamina, Israel
Jack Cunningham '29
Springfield, PA
Angel Guzman '29
Los Angeles, CA
Max Malec '29
Scranton, PA
Esther-Faith Henn '28
Grove City, OH
Lucas Resch '29
Sterling, CO
Brenna O'Connor
Reading, PA
Director of
Penn State
Adaptive Athletics
Samantha McMinn
Conowingo, MD
Assistant Wheelchair Basketball Coach
Penn State
Adaptive Athletics
Our Athletes
Lee Asher '29
Binyamina, Israel
Jack Cunningham '29
Springfield, PA
Angel Guzman '29
Los Angeles, CA
Max Malec '29
Scranton, PA
Esther-Faith Henn '28
Grove City, OH
Lucas Resch '29
Sterling, CO
Brenna O'Connor
Reading, PA
Director of
Penn State Adaptive Athletics
Samantha McMinn
Mount Joy, PA
Assistant Wheelchair Basketball Coach
Samantha McMinn
Conowingo, MD
Assistant Wheelchair Basketball Coach
Penn State Adaptive Athletics
Our Former Athletes & Coaches
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”
- Michael Jordan
Jeff Hantz '04
Track & Field
"Believe you can and you are halfway there.”
- Theodore Roosevelt
Rohan Murphy '06
Powerlifting
“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t you’re right.”
- Henry Ford
Maggie Redden '07
Track & Field
“All limitations are self-imposed.”
- Oliver Wendall Holmes
Kortney Clemons '08
Track & Field
“He knows not his own strength who hath not met adversity.”
- William Samuel Johnson
Jake Schrom '11
Powerlifting
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."
- John Wooden
Teri Jordan
Past Coach of Penn State Ability Athletics
Our Former Athletes
& Coaches
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”
- Michael Jordan
Jeff Hantz '04
Track & Field
"Believe you can and you are halfway there.”
- Theodore Roosevelt
Rohan Murphy '06
Powerlifting
“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t you’re right.”
- Henry Ford
Maggie Redden '07
Track & Field
“All limitations are self-imposed.”
- Oliver Wendall Holmes
Kortney Clemons '08
Track & Field
“He knows not his own strength who hath not met adversity.”
- William Samuel Johnson
Jake Schrom '11
Powerlifting
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."
- John Wooden
Teri Jordan
Past Coach of Penn State Ability Athletics
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I learn more about how to get involved?
E-mail [email protected] and someone from our Board will get in touch!
How do I make a donation to Rise Above: Friends of Penn State Adaptive Athletics?
You can make a donation by clicking here.
If you'd like to discuss a large gift, please reach out to our Director of Fundraising, Joe Clouse, at [email protected]
I'm an Adaptive Athlete interested in Penn State. Who should I contact?
E-mail [email protected] and someone from our Board will get in touch!
What kind of sports does Penn State Adaptive Athletics offer?
Our primary programs currently include Track & Field and Wheelchair Basketball. Additionally, our athletes frequently participate in Sled Hockey through the State College Coyotes. We are always looking to grow and are happy to explore new sports to meet the interests of our community.
Copyright © 2026 Rise Above: Friends of Penn State Adaptive Athletics. All Rights Reserved.
Rise Above is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. EIN: 92-1910039