MBAA

Annual Report

2006-2007

Tom Coyne (left), board member of the MBAA, received a donation for $6,875 from Hal Wolfe of the Ann Arbor Track Club.

Michigan Blind Athletic Association

Message from the Chair

The athletes and board members of MBAA had another outstanding year. There were many uplifting events and outcomes, but sadness as well.

Two of our board members, Elizabeth Lennon and Robert Burkholz, passed away this year. Elizabeth has been known in the rehabilitation field for many years. Besides her career as a professor at Western Michigan University in the Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies, she participated on numerous boards. Her work for persons who are blind and visually impaired will be remembered for many years to come. Bob, although a fairly new member on the MBAA Board, worked hard on the Board’s behalf using his skills as an attorney. He assisted most recently in acquiring insurance for the Tandem Riding Club.  His participation and energy will be greatly missed. 

The goal ball teams we have supported continued to demonstrate their skill and determination.  Both the women’s and men’s teams from Kalamazoo came home with gold metals from the national tournament.

The 2007 Sports Education Camps, held in the spring at Western Michigan University and co-sponsored by MBAA and the University, again allowed youngsters throughout the state an opportunity to show off their skills and learn new skills. The younger-aged camp demonstrated to athletes an understanding of and exhibition of skills for sports such as swimming, goal ball, and track/field, while the seasoned older-aged camp honed skills and afforded additional confidence.

As always, our Board of Directors is most grateful for the continued financial support of the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation and the Harold & Grace Upjohn Foundation. Meanwhile, we were very pleased to acquire new sources of funding this year. The Ann Arbor Track Club’s “34^th Dexter to Ann Arbor Half-Marathon” raised $6,875 for our organization and the Michigan Braille Transcribers awarded MBAA a $6,000. These new funds enabled more athletes to participate in our programs. Thank you to all of our supporters for your participation through volunteer time or financial assistance.

- John Boes

Elizabeth Lennon: Farewell to a Good Friend

Elizabeth “Libby” Lennon, long-time resident of Kalamazoo and a Board member of the Michigan Blind Athletic Association, passed away at Bronson Methodist Hospital on May 11, 2007. Libby was 97 years young.

Born in Chicago on April 29, 1910, Libby lost sight in one eye at about the age of eight due to an accident. Her determination to become an educator for persons who are blind eventually led her to Western Michigan University in 1967, after an impressive teaching and administrative career in programs for blind persons in Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Montana. She also traveled and taught in England and Australia. Libby retired from the University in 1978 as an assistant professor in the Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies.

Aside from her teaching and being a life-long learner, Libby was an active and long-time member of the American Council of the Blind, served as a contributing editor to the Braille Forum, and was the author of the column “Here and There.” Libby enjoyed attending the national ACB conventions as well as traveling the world for pleasure.

Libby also served on the Board of the Voluntary Action Center of Greater Kalamazoo, was an advisory member of the City of Kalamazoo's Advisory Committee for the Coover Recreational Center, and had a long-time involvement with the Michigan Commission for the Blind. Libby was a member and former secretary for the Michigan Blind Athletic Association, always advocating that persons who are blind or visually impaired be involved in sports and recreational activities. In recognition of her work in her community, Libby was named the Handicapped Professional Woman of the Year in 1971, and received the prestigious Irving S. Gilmore Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.

We dearly miss our friend, Libby. She was a very intelligent lady who had boundless energy and great ideas for making things happen. Libby’s inspiration has influenced so many, many persons who are blind or visually impaired over the years that we are not able to name every achievement Libby accomplished—only to say her thoughts and dreams will live with us for a very long time.

- Sherry Gordon

Michigan Goalball Teams with
Strong WMU Ties Win National Titles

Men's and women's goalball teams from Michigan, both with strong ties to Western Michigan University, took national titles in a recent tournament in St. Augustine, Fla. The two teams concluded the 2007 season by participating in the United States Association of Blind Athletes' national goalball tournament May 31-June 2, winning men's and women's national championships. Both teams are supported by the WMU Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies and are composed of several current WMU students and graduates.

The women's team, known as the Kalamazoo Chaos, won its third straight national championship and fourth in the last five years by defeating Colorado in the title game, 1-0. Colorado last won the championship in 2004. Members of the Chaos got revenge from their 2-1 loss to Colorado in the Mid-east Regionals in April by scoring mid-way through the first half and then playing tight defense to preserve the win. New Jersey took third place by defeating Florida. Members of the Chaos are: Nikki Buck, a graduate of Paw Paw High School now living in Kalamazoo and a student at Kalamazoo Valley Community College; Susie D'Mello, a student at Michigan State University; Asya Miller, a WMU graduate; and Kristin Millerov, a current WMU student. Buck was named female tournament MVP, while Buck and Miller were named to the all-tournament team.

The men's team, called the WMU Wrecking Crew, won its second national championship in three years by defeating the Pennsylvania Venom, 6-4, in the title game. Pennsylvania last won a national championship in 2003. Earlier, in round-robin play, Pennsylvania defeated the Wrecking Crew, 9-8, with a furious second-half comeback. But in the championship game, the Crew broke a 2-2 tie with four unanswered goals and then held on to preserve the win. Northeast Florida defeated defending national champion Utah for third place. Wrecking Crew members include: WMU students Steve Denuyl and Tyler Merren; John Kusku, a WMU graduate and future WMU graduate student; and Junior Ortiz of Battle Creek. Merren, who also serves on the MBAA Board, was named male tournament MVP, while Denuyl, Kusku and Merren were named to the all tournament team.

The sport of goalball itself has a long history in Kalamazoo, thanks to the efforts of Drs. Paul and Sue Ponchillia, professors in the WMU Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies. Many of the players on the two teams were introduced to goalball at annual sports camps at WMU that the Ponchillia's organized.

Others at WMU also are directly involved with the two teams. Sherry Gordon, a part-time WMU faculty member, is instrumental in the administrative tasks of organizing team trips, while John Hulsebus, data architect for the WMU Office of Student Academic and Institutional Research, was head coach of the women's team and assistant coach of the men's team. Hulsebus' counterpart is Mike McAbee of Kalamazoo, who coaches the men's team and is assistant coach of the women's team.

Several members of both the men's and women's teams will be representatives on the U.S. National men's and women's goalball teams which will compete in the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, China. People unfamiliar with the sport of goalball may find out more online at http://pagoalball.com/goalball.html. More information on Michigan goalball may be found online at: http://michigangoalball.com/.

First Person

Incredible & Inspirational: International Ski for Light

Six whole days of skiing! That was my first thought when I found out that Michigan Ski for Light had selected me to go to the 2007 Ski for Light International. After months of anticipation, the week arrived, and I was finally off to New Hampshire.

When I arrived, there were SFL volunteers to meet all of us at the airport and assist us with getting a bite to eat, handling our luggage, and getting on the bus. My first encounter with food proved true throughout the week; the food was phenomenal. We had really good, huge portions, and it was hard to leave behind any part of each meal. The breakfasts were like “lumberjack” meals, and the whole-grain bread was fresh-baked.

We hit the trails on Monday morning. My guide, John, was also a guide trainer, and has been involved with Ski for Light International for 12 years. Prior to hitting the trails, Ted led us in 30 minutes of stretches, and I felt like a Spartan by the end of the week. After the stretches, we boarded a school bus and ended up at the Jackson Trail System, which was part of a golf course, due to the lack of snow at the regular cross-country trails. There were three loops, with a few hills. There was one covered bridge, and also a tunnel, which were both interesting obstacles through which to ski.

I was on the early bus most days to hit the trails for more skiing, and I just kept saying, “I came here to ski!” even when the offer for snow-shoeing came up as an option. Each day I was able to go further, and felt that wonderful freedom and rhythm; it was an awesome experience. Out on the trails, I heard an occasional bird, and wind chimes. John explained that there were some trees and houses in the distance. It was wonderful to be outside with the cool air, and there was even a small babbling brook in one area. It did get bitterly cold one day, and alternate programming was provided indoors. That day, I did water aerobics and then played cribbage with John. We had box lunches, and then one of the other gals had a guitar, so we had a sing-a-long in the lobby. It was wonderful, because I had the opportunity to meet people from Canada and Norway, plus many other states.

There were many fun times, on and off the trails, such as listening to a comic from Maine, enjoying the Talent Night, bidding on the silent auction, and chatting in the bar with others from near and far. The heroes of the week, if you ask me, were the mobility-impaired persons. I was amazed at their stamina and guts. These skiers, MIPs as we called them, had a sit-ski chair, and I wanted to try it, but did not get a chance to do so. My guide, John, told me he was a GIP (guide-impaired person!). The rest of us were VIPs, or visually-impaired persons. While I was on my skis, I had a chance to work on tandem skiing, my stride and glide, plus my falling (I got that down). One time, I was down on the ground and was having a hard time getting up. It was a narrow area with ice on both sides. I finally was on my side, laughing, and I said I was waiting for that big St. Bernard to come along with the barrel of rum on his collar.

The banquet was held on Saturday night, and that is where I received the Jan Haug award for 2007. I went up to the front – stagestruck – but was able to thank Michigan Ski for Light for sponsoring me, and also thanked Kathy and Ted. I babbled on about how I wanted to ski as well as one of the Norwegians! Anyway, it was an honor to win the award! The last night of Ski for Light International had a jazz band, and I stayed until the music was cranked up. I danced once, and decided it was too noisy, and returned to my room, since I had to be on the 5 a.m. bus the next morning to depart for the airport. My roommate, Alice, was there, and we visited late into the evening. She was a delight for the whole week, and her dog, Chekov, was a love. They paired us up well.

I feel as though I am part of the whole big family now, and have made some wonderful new friends. It will be great to keep in touch, and to meet up again next year at SFL International in Bend, Oregon. Thanks again to Michigan Ski for Light for choosing me to send to the International event this year. It was a memorable event that I will cherish forever!

- Sue Fluri

Reprinted by permission of Happy Trails, Spring 2007 (Vol. 2, No. 1), the Michigan Ski for Light newsletter. MBAA Board member Sue Fluri won the Jan Haug award for a first-time skier.

Highlights

● MBAA became a member of the League of American Bicyclists as a way to assist the New Perceptions Tandem Club. The club had all six bikes in operation this year, and a June bike ride had eight riders participate.

● Bowling, with five teams – two more than last year – competed during the year. A total of 10 bowlers competed in the Midwest Blind Bowling Tournament in Taylor, Michigan, in March with MBAA funding.

● MBAA provided funding for the first John Bakos Memorial Goalball Tournament in March, previously known as the USABA Midwest Regional Goalball Tournament. This tournament brought 14 of the nation’s best men’s and women’s teams to the campus of Western Michigan University in March. Kalamazoo Chaos took top honors as the best women’s team while the men’s WMU Wrecking Crew also captured gold medal honors. The namesake of the tournament is a Western Michigan University alumnus and former WMU Wrecking Crew coach who went on to coach the USA Men’s Goalball team to a Bronze Medal in the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games.

● The Northeast Regional Goalball Tournament included Michigan athletes supported by the MBAA, which has supported participation for this event for many years. Both teams that went with MBAA funding, Kalamazoo Chaos and WMU Wrecking Crew, took 2^nd place honors in their respective men’s and women’s division.

● MBAA supported the National Goalball Tournament in St. Augustine, Florida, held May 31 to June 2 with nine athletes and two coaches attending. WMU Wrecking Crew and Kalamazoo Chaos both earned gold medals. Nikki Buck and Tyler Merren (both from Kalamazoo) were named most valuable players for women and men respectively for their Goalball teams Kalamazoo Chaos and WMU Wrecking Crew respectively. In addition, Nikki Buck, Asya Miller, Tyler Merren, John Kusku and Stephen Denuyl were all named to the "All tournament" team. Kalamazoo was well represented this year at nationals.

● The MBAA Board of Directors was represented by long-time board member Tom Coyne at the Stampede Race Party and Benefit Dinner held following the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run held in Ann Arbor on June 2 during which MBAA was one of three recipient agencies for this annual fundraiser. MBAA received $5,000. The race is in its 34^th year and is headed by Hal Wolf, who also serves as a Sports Education Camp volunteer.

● The board of directors approved a by-law change (Article II, Section 8): A Director may cast a vote by e-mail or other electronic means on any action presented at a regularly scheduled board meeting at which a quorum is not present, provided that the motion is fully presented by e-mail or other electronic means to all Directors and the individual director’s vote is copied to all Directors. Such action by the Directors will be binding as if conducted at a regularly scheduled board meeting.

● The Kalamazoo Downtown Lions Club made a $500 donation to MBAA to assist with the cost of water and sports drinks at Sports Education Camp.

● Dr. Paul Ponchillia, former chairman of the Western Michigan University Department of Blind and Low Vision Studies and a former chairman of the MBAA, retired from the University in June. The retirement festivities were held at the new College of Health and Human Services on the Oakland campus.

Board of Directors

Officers:

John Boes, MBAA Chair
Retired, Michigan Commission for the Blind

Tom Vance, MBAA Vice-Chair

Portage Public Schools

Richard Hodges, MBAA Treasurer

Western Michigan University

Sherry Gordon, MBAA Secretary

Michigan Commission for the Blind

Directors:

Michael Branch, Young Men’s Christian Association

Mary Lou Brooks, Western Michigan University

Thomas Coyne, Emeritus, Western Michigan University

Sue Fluri, Michigan Commission for the Blind

Richard Hodges, Western Michigan University

Amy Mesara

Tyler Merren, student, Western Michigan University

Bill Welke, Emeritus, Western Michigan University

Frank Wolf, Emeritus, Western Michigan University

Financials for the Year Ended June 30, 2007

Revenues:
Grants	$32,000
Contributions	2,900
Misc. Income	160
Participant enry fees	1,660
Interest	152
Total revenue		$36,872
Program expenditures:
Sports education camp	$18,804
Goal ball teams	13,172
Bowling teams	1,889
Other	556
Administrative	256
Total Expenditures		34,677
Revenue above expenditures		$2,195

Ending cash balance June 30, 2007 $11,440.14

2006-2007 invoices received and paid after June 30, 2007:

- Western Michigan University for facilities for sports camp: $1,600

- R. L. Hume Award Company: $31.75

Grant from Ann Arbor Track Club received after June 30, 2007: $6,875.83

Our Mission

The MBAA is a nonprofit organization based in Kalamazoo to serve blind and visually impaired athletes. Founded in 1980, the MBAA is dedicated to the proposition that – empowered to participate – quality-of-life improves for the visually impaired. MBAA is affiliated with the United States Association of Blind Athletes and is managed by an all-volunteer board of directors with no paid staff.

Support the MBAA

We continue to pursue our mission only with the financial support of individuals and foundations. The MBAA strives to wisely disperse its funds and provide responsible stewardship to continue its very worthwhile mission of nurturing and enabling its athletes.

Please consider making a donation of any amount. Make checks payable to: Michigan Blind Athletic Association and mail in care of Mr. John Boes, MBAA, c/o Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center, 1541 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49008.

The MBAA thanks the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center for providing the MBAA Board meeting space.

MBAA is an affiliate member of the United States Association of Blind Athletes whose mission is to increase the number and quality of grassroots-through-competitive, world-class athletic opportunities for Americans who are blind or visually impaired. Learn more at www.usaba.org.