Campus Connection

Community rallies to support Adapted PE program

Supporters of UW-La Crosse are rallying behind a university program serving children with disabilities after it was announced that the program’s funding source was in jeopardy.

UWL’s Adapted Physical Education (PE) program — through which graduate students help children with disabilities build confidence and develop physical exercise skills — has been in flux since the longstanding federal grant that funds the program was threatened for elimination. The university continues to work with the Department of Education with the goal of restoring the grant.

UWL received an outpouring of support when the potential cut was announced in May, and a philanthropic effort has emerged to ensure the program can continue serving local families.

First, La Crosse-based radio station Z93 teamed up with other Mid-West Family station charities to donate $5,500 to the program.

Then, on One Day for UWL Oct. 21 and 22, the campus community raised more than $34,000 to support Adapted PE — thanks in large part to a matching gift from longtime UWL supporters Mike and Kathi McGinley.

Adapted PE is particularly meaningful to the McGinleys, who have a daughter with disabilities and have found support through similar programs.

“We have witnessed firsthand the incredible impact programs like UWL’s Adapted Physical Education have on individuals’ lives,” Mike, ’82, and Kathi say. “(Our daughter) Morgan has flourished thanks to programs that create space for every person to move, learn, belong and be fearless. Her joy and growth in these environments have changed her life — and witnessing this inspired us to act.

“Together, we can help sustain and strengthen this program that changes lives.”

Families and educators who have benefited from UWL’s Adapted PE program echo the McGinleys, describing these services as critical to the community.

Not only does the program help children with disabilities develop exercise skills like swimming and biking — as well as social-emotional skills like self-confidence and communication — it also provides families and caregivers with much-needed respite.

By participating in the program, UWL graduate students gain valuable experience working with children with disabilities — skills they go on to use in their careers, often as teachers in local school districts.

One such graduate, Brock McMullen, ’13, now directs UWL’s Adapted PE program — a full-circle opportunity to grow and improve the program that helped launch his career.

McMullen says the uncertainty of future funding makes philanthropic support critically important to the continued success of the program. He remains focused on maintaining services for local children, families and students.

“The opportunities we provide to individuals with disabilities in the greater La Crosse community are unique and varied, which is important because, traditionally, opportunities for individuals with disabilities have been limited,” McMullen says. “Being able to build and maintain that connection between campus and community is especially important to me and to our students.”