Inclusive Sports Highlighted Through the Success of a Wheelchair Basketball Star
CUNY's Adaptive Sports Program Shines at the 2025 Summer World University Games
The City University of New York (CUNY) made a significant impact at the 2025 Summer World University Games, showcasing the growth and success of their inclusive and adaptive sports program.
Ryan Martin, the head of CUNY's adaptive sports program, coached the U.S. men's wheelchair basketball team, while Anesia Glascoe, a student at Queensborough Community College, played for the women's team. Both teams brought home bronze medals, marking a proud achievement for CUNY.
Glascoe's journey to the World University Games is inspiring. A standout basketball player in Maryland before a shooting left her paralyzed from the waist down, she found solace and a new passion in wheelchair basketball during her rehabilitation. The sport, suggested by her rehab therapist, became an emotional outlet for her, as she overcame her initial struggles to become a leading player on CUNY's women's wheelchair team this year.
Chancellor Matos Rodríguez of CUNY praised the university's participation in the Games, viewing it as a celebration of their commitment to students with disabilities. Nearly 10,000 students with disabilities attend CUNY campuses, and the university's adaptive sports program is a testament to their dedication to inclusivity.
CUNY's trailblazing inclusive and adaptive sports program is a prime example of the progress being made in adaptive sports across U.S. universities. The historical progress of these programs reflects growing recognition and support for athletes with disabilities, with significant milestones in recent years.
Universities such as UNC-Chapel Hill have created inclusive fitness classes tailored for young adults with developmental disabilities, while programs like the USA Cheer Adaptive Abilities teams allow athletes with disabilities to compete internationally alongside able-bodied peers.
The 2025 Summer World University Games included wheelchair basketball for the first time, further demonstrating the growing acceptance and integration of adaptive sports in mainstream athletics. As we mark the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the progress made in adaptive sports is a testament to the power of inclusivity and the transformative potential of sports for athletes with disabilities.
References: 1. CUNY's Adaptive Sports Program Shines at the 2025 Summer World University Games 2. Special Olympics: A History 3. UNC-Chapel Hill's Inclusive Fitness Classes for Students with Developmental Disabilities 4. USA Cheer Adaptive Abilities Teams
Accessible education and self-development, coupled with sports, played a crucial role in Anesia Glascoe's remarkable comeback. After her accident left her paralyzed, she utilized her passion for basketball as a means of both therapy and self-expression. This led to her participation in CUNY's adaptive sports program, where she emerged as a leading player on the women's wheelchair team, ultimately representing CUNY at the 2025 Summer World University Games.
