From Dormancy to Determination: The Story Behind Rise Above

Rise Above was founded in 2022 out of urgency.

Penn State's Ability Athletics program, once nationally recognized under the leadership of Coach Teri Jordan , had gone quiet during the pandemic. When Jordan retired, the silence deepened. A group of alumni, Paralympians, and advocates came together not just to save the program, but to reimagine what it could become.

What We Are Building

The result is a revitalized Penn State Adaptive Athletics Program, a fully independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, working in close partnership with Penn State's Intercollegiate Athletics department to make sure adaptive athletes have what they need to compete and to belong.

The mission is straightforward: support the restoration, revitalization, and redevelopment of Adaptive Athletics at Penn State by providing scholarships, training resources, visibility, community connection, and national leadership in inclusive collegiate sports.

In just a few years, Rise Above has gone from an idea to a functioning program with athletes, coaches, competitions, and a growing community of supporters. The progress has been real and fast.

But we are still early in our work. Building something lasting that incorporates scholarships, equipment, training, visibility, and a culture of inclusion woven into Penn State's athletic identity takes sustained commitment. That is what Rise Above is here to provide.

Why This Matters

The athletes competing under the Rise Above banner aren't just here to play. They're here to make history. Together, they represent a growing national movement of adaptive athletes rewriting the script on who belongs in college sports.

Your support helps make sure Penn State leads that movement and that every athlete who wants to be here has the chance to rise.

To learn more or to support the program, visit riseaboveability.com or reach out at [email protected].