Sports Programs

Buckeye Sports Program Is Open To All Chapter Members

The Buckeye Chapter sports program is open to all chapter members. We try to encourage the participation of as many members as possible. If you play a sport and need more information, please contact the Chapter Office.

Presently, BPVA is collaborating with other organizations to ensure that all Ohioans with disabilities have sports sponsorship. These include: TASC in Columbus, Three Trackers in Cleveland and Toledo, and Wright State University in Dayton. These organizations together with BPVA sponsor clinics in snow skiing, water skiing, canoeing, and hand-cycling.

BPVA sponsors several wheelchair basketball teams located in Ohio. We also sponsor wheelchair softball teams, quad rugby, the Columbus Marathon (wheelchair division), billiards tournaments, and air rifle competition. BPVA annually sponsors the Buckeye Wheelchair Games in Geneva, Ohio. In addition, our members participate in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

BPVA has a special program to assist individual athletes that use wheelchairs to compete. This is the Individual Sports Program (ISP). Participants in the ISP may be partially reimbursed by BPVA for entrance fees and either travel or hotel expenses. ISP participants are currently competing in archery, air rifle, fishing, golf, racing, tennis, and swimming. This program is limited to competitive events only – no camps or clinics. Contact the Chapter Office. (216) 731-1017

Please let the Buckeye Chapter get you back in the game and off the sidelines.
Contact us for more information. (216) 731-1017

Access to Chapter Sports and Recreation Programs

BPVA has always recognized wheelchair sports as a powerful tool for rehabilitation and social interaction for our members and others with disabilities. We offer both indoor and outdoor activities throughout Ohio. Participants vary in age, ability, and experience.

Full members of the chapter, those with spinal cord injury or disease, may take advantage of these programs. In addition, to enhance the experience of camaraderie and participation in our adaptive sporting activities, we invite other disabled athletes who don’t qualify for full membership to take advantage of Sports Associate Membership. Sports Associate Membership is $50 per year and allows the Associate Member to gain access to some benefits that would otherwise only be available to full members.

Individual Sports Program Guidelines and Application

Sports Associate Membership Guidelines

Sports Associate Member Profile (Application)

The Buckeye Chapter's own Holly Koester is an inductee of the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame for Track and Field

From their Website:

A 2006 graduate of Cleveland State University, Holly Koester served in the U.S. Army from 1981 to 1991 until she was injured. She is the first person to complete a marathon in all 50 states from a wheelchair. Koester is currently working on her second tour of marathons in all 50 states. She won six Gold Medals in the 2016 National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

Koester has special ties to Cleveland and the state of Ohio. She has served as a peer counselor for newly injured spinal cord veterans at the Cleveland VA. A motivational speaker, Koester has addressed veterans organizations, school groups and attendees at Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies.

Koester has also served as sports director and secretary of the Buckeye Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America. Her achievements and dedication led to her induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2017.

Koester is a retired U.S. Army Captain, and a patriotic theme has a special place in her life. Since 1996, she has competed in numerous Air Force and Marine Corps marathons. Others include the Columbus Marathon, the Mount Rushmore Marathon and the Maui Marathon.

Koester grew up in Buffalo, played high school sports and participated in volleyball at Fredonia State in New York, where she also joined ROTC. She was injured in an accident in the Persian Gulf War in 1990.

Holly’s twin sister, Joy, is a retired Army Colonel, and several other family members have also served in the military.

Watch the Video of Holly's Induction

Challenged Athletes Foundation Equipment Grant Application

The Challenged Athletes Foundation has grant money available for the purchase of competition equipment.

CAF’s 2026 Annual Grant Program will open for applications on October 1, 2025 and close on November 14, 2025 at 5 PM PST. This year’s application window is only six weeks, so starting early will give you the best chance to submit a complete application.

Visit their website to check out the application.

Sports ‘n Spokes Magazine

SPORTS ‘N SPOKES is a bimonthly publication produced by the Paralyzed Veterans of America. SNS reports on competitive sports and recreation for wheelchair users. Click here to view their website.

View The Magazine