The Hartford and CUNY’s Adaptive Sports Program Host Youth Wheelchair Basketball Clinic

The Hartford, a leading disability insurer and a long-time advocate for the adaptive sports movement, partnered with CUNY’s Adaptive Sports Program to organize a youth wheelchair basketball clinic. The event, held on Saturday, October 7, featured World Champion Wheelchair Basketball Player Matt Scott and New York Knicks Legend John Starks. The highlight of the clinic was the surprise donation of custom-fit sport wheelchairs to 28 youth athletes, while an additional 25 wheelchairs were donated to support local adaptive sports programs.

The Hartford has been dedicated to increasing participation in adaptive sports by making sports and equipment more accessible to athletes of all ages. According to Claire Burns, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of The Hartford, adaptive athletes often face significant financial barriers, with equipment costs averaging 15 times more than those for non-adaptive athletes. The Hartford is committed to removing these barriers and promoting diversity and inclusion in sports.

In addition to the wheelchair donations, The Hartford contributed $150,000 to CUNY for hosting the wheelchair basketball clinic. During the event, Matt Scott participated in a free throw contest, with The Hartford donating $1,000 for every basket made. This resulted in a total donation of $50,000 to Matt Scott’s Fly Without Limits Organization.

CUNY’s Adaptive Sports Program has been instrumental in transforming the university into a first-choice destination for New Yorkers with disabilities seeking a college education. The wheelchair basketball program, which started competitive play in 2019, is the only one of its kind on the eastern seaboard. Chancellor Felix Matos Rodríguez expressed gratitude to The Hartford for their generous support of the next generation of student-athletes with disabilities and their commitment to adaptive sports.

This event further strengthens The Hartford’s mission to make adaptive sports more accessible. Earlier this year, the company announced a $3.5 million commitment to Move United, a national leader in community adaptive sports. Over the past five years, The Hartford has donated over 5,000 pieces of adaptive sports equipment, positively impacting more than 40,000 individuals in over 40 communities across the country.

The Hartford, a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits, and mutual funds, has a rich history of service excellence, sustainability practices, trust, and integrity. With over 200 years of expertise, the company is committed to supporting initiatives that promote inclusivity and empower individuals with disabilities to participate in sports.

To learn more about The Hartford’s adaptive sports program, visit their website.

About The City University of New York (CUNY):
CUNY is the nation’s largest urban public university and a transformative engine of social mobility in New York City. Founded in 1847, CUNY consists of 25 colleges spread across the city’s five boroughs, serving 243,000 degree-seeking students and awarding 55,000 degrees annually. The university’s commitment to providing a first-rate education to all students, regardless of means or background, has made it a vital contributor to the city’s economic, civic, and cultural life.

Source: Business Wire