By Michael Jacobs
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 1, 1997

Pony Express raises scholarship money for disabled students

Arizona Daily Wildcat At last year's sign-up for the Dick Tomey Pony Express, Brian Corrigan, Pony Express assistant coordinator, registers people that will participate in the race the following day. This year's Saturday race promotes an open 5-kilometer wheelchair race, a 2-mile fun run and walk, and an inaugural in-line skate race.

Athletes from across the nation will converge on Tucson this Saturday to compete in the third annual Dick Tomey Pony Express, a contest dubbed the most "exciting race in the Wild West."

The Pony Express, which includes a 2-mile-long fun run/walk, a 5-kilometer open wheelchair race and in-line skate competition, raises money for the Center for Disability Related Resources, organizers said.

The events start at 8 a.m. and are open to both students and members of the Tucson community.

Proceeds from the events go to the campus Center for Disability Related Resources, organizers said. It raised $7,000 for CeDRR in 1995.

Preceding the fun runs and rides will be a highly competitive 10-kilometer wheelchair race at 7:30 a.m., featuring 20 of the top 25 wheelchair athletes in the nation.

"This event shows the excitement of wheelchair racing," said Eric Neitzel, who won the race last year.

"The races are a lot like bike racing: We race in packs and we draft. Whoever is able to take the corners will be able to win," added Neitzel, who is a graphic communications junior at Palomar Community College in San Diego.

Seven of the 25 are high school athletes being recruited by the University of Arizona Adaptive Athletics Program.

"Some of these athletes are incredible," said Derek Brown, coordinator for Elite Wheelchair Events.

"If they weren't in wheelchairs, then they would be the top mobile athletes in the country," he added.

Proceeds from Pony Express events are funneled through CeDRR into a purse devoted to bringing 'elite' wheelchair athletes to the UA.

Since the university budget doesn't provide scholarships for wheelchair athletes, some of the money also reaches the adaptive athletics program, Brown said.

David Herr-Cardillo, senior program coordinator for CeDRR, said the UA's disabled athletic program is on the verge of being a national power.

"We need an increased amount of scholarships and an improved quality of coaching staff, because the sport has become such a science," Herr-Cardillo said.

"The additions of a track and tennis team will give us more programs than any other university in the United States," he added.

Herr-Cardillo covets fundraising dollars as the mode of payment to increase the scholarship fund.

"The Pony Express is a vehicle that will guarantee that some of these athletes will enroll at the university if we have the scholarship money," he said. "Sports and disabilities is a win-win situation."

Janet Olson, a CeDRR events coordinator, said the Pony Express is not all running and riding.

A party on the Mall will feature free food and health checks and participating in-line skaters can receive a free rubdown from the Desert Institute of Healing Arts, a massage therapy school, Olson said.

Events also include a health awareness booth on osteoporosis, a human gyro, pony rides and a free Outback Steakhouse tailgate party.

Beyond supporting the Pony Express, CeDRR offers a number of academic services and athletic facilities for disabled students.

The center serves students with all disabilities including: deafness, blindness, stroke and cancer patients, learning disabilities and spinal cord injuries.

The Dick Tomey Pony Express

Entry fee for the races is $15 or $30 in pledges.

Pledge forms are available at the Center for Disabilities Related Resources at East Second Street and North Cherry Avenue.

Prospective participants can also submit fundraising letters to corporations for sponsorship.