{"id":84578,"date":"2022-02-24T15:47:02","date_gmt":"2022-02-24T23:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test-www.ewu.edu\/give\/?post_type=stories&p=84578"},"modified":"2024-03-26T16:28:28","modified_gmt":"2024-03-26T23:28:28","slug":"adaptive-athletics-a-draw-for-talented-student-athlete","status":"publish","type":"stories","link":"https:\/\/test-www.ewu.edu\/give\/news\/adaptive-athletics-a-draw-for-talented-student-athlete\/","title":{"rendered":"Adaptive Athletics a Draw for Talented Student Athlete and Donors"},"content":{"rendered":"

When looking at colleges, Jackson Atwood had plenty of reasons to choose Eastern. When you get to know this talented wheelchair basketball player, you will have 30,000 reasons to support EWU Adaptive Athletics.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reason #1 \u2013 Meet Jackson Atwood:<\/span><\/b> His parents are EWU alumni and his grandfather, Robert, was a professor here. Atwood earned Running Start credits through Eastern \u2013 and the university\u2019s Master of Occupational Therapy Program aligns with his goal of working as a pediatric OT.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, Atwood, a gifted parasports athlete, says what ultimately sealed the deal for enrolling at Eastern was the opportunity to play for David Evjen on the EWU Wheelchair Basketball Team.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCoach David is an excellent coach. He is well balanced and performance-based,\u201d Atwood says.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The outgoing freshman, born with a proximal femoral focal deficiency that led to the amputation of his left foot, lives in Pearce Hall and zips around campus on a kick scooter. With a resume that includes solid academics, volunteer experience and a history of winning gold in world parasports track competitions, Atwood is a role model for students of all abilities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His accomplishments garnered a prestigious Heisman High School Scholarship, awarded nationally, and Eastern\u2019s own H.D. Morris Memorial Scholarship. The Spokane Valley native is grateful for the financial support and plans to work as a school-based OT helping children with special needs thrive.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As of today, the 18-year-old maintains a full course load with practices and games, checking out campus events, meeting up with friends at the PUB and helping new teammates get familiar with the campus.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI really like the people, and the culture here is pretty nice,\u201d Atwood says.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reason #2 \u2013 Every dollar you give to EWU Adaptive Athletics is matched:<\/span><\/b> Mike Mumford, \u201981 alumnus who serves on the EWU Foundation Board of Directors, has generously challenged Eagle Nation to match his $30,000 gift, making donors\u2019 gifts go twice as far!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe main reason I support Eastern\u2019s Adaptive Athletics Program is because my stepson\u2019s daughter was born with spina bifida, and she is an athlete,\u201d says Mumford.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mumford describes 6-year-old Rowan as \u201ca little spitfire.\u201d She plays organized basketball and hockey, and she\u2019s in a dance troupe. \u201cShe\u2019s competitive and active,\u201d he says. Mumford attributes Rowan\u2019s active lifestyle to her parents\u2019 insistence that she participate fully in life and their commitment to adapt things to make that participation possible.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mumford knows that donor support will make adaptive athletics participation possible for more EWU students, like his granddaughter and Atwood. \u201cI want the match to motivate others to give,\u201d Mumford said. \u201cThe program needs the money, and it supports mostly local kids in a rare program.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n Support Adaptive Athletics <\/h2>\n
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Start here<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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