About Us
About Us Intro
The United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA) governs the sport of power soccer in the United States. The USPSA promotes power soccer on a national and international level through tournament play, referee certification, training and growth. It is the mission and hope of the USPSA that all persons with disabilities who use power wheelchairs will have the opportunity to play and experience power soccer. Power soccer is a team sport that helps build character through teamwork, communication, hard work, perseverance, good sportsmanship. The USPSA is also committed to make power soccer an internationally-recognized sport that will one day be in the Paralympics.
Organizational Initiatives
The USPSA is actively developing an Officials Training Program throughout the United States. This program will train and certify referees to officiate power soccer matches in their local communities as well as at sanctioned USPSA events.
We are in the process of networking through a variety of disability-related organizations to bring the sport of power soccer to as many power wheelchair users as possible. It is our goal to create teams in every state and grow the program across the country. The USPSA representatives have visited more than 50 cities in an effort to grow the sport of power soccer. We are seeking to develop a broad base of affiliated members throughout the United States who will assist us in promoting power soccer as well as financially support the organization.
The USPSA's third initiative is to strengthen our International Competition Program, Team USA. The first international team under USPSA was selected in late 2006. Twelve players representing teams from all over the country were selected to represent the USA in international competition. This team trained together and individually for over a year to prepare for the Inaugural Powerchair Football World Cup held in Tokyo, Japan in October 2007. Seven countries competed over a six-day period at this historic event bringing together diverse cultures, skills and styles. Team USA’s strength was apparent from the first whistle to the final buzzer as the USA went undefeated and won the Cup! Congratulations Team USA! The next World Cup is scheduled for 2011.
Executive Board
The United States Power Soccer Association is led by an Advisory Board, which conducts its day-to-day activities and operations through an elected Executive Committee. The Executive Committee consists of seven members who hold two-year terms.
President, Dominic Russo
Dominic was introduced to power soccer through his children in 2003 and has never looked back. He began as the coach of the first Indiana team, Sudden Impact, and became very involved in the growth of power soccer in Indiana. In 2006, when the USPSA was just a dream, he stepped up to help formalized the organization and volunteered to lead this organization to become a notable sports association. In addition to leading the USPSA, Dominic was an assistant coach for Team USA in 2007 and is currently the head coach of the Ball State Cardinals. Dominic is originally from Boston, Mass. and resides now in Carmel, Indiana with his wife Karen and two children.
Executive Vice President, Karen Russo
Karen was introduced to power soccer through her children who had attended an MDA camp in 2003. She organized the first power soccer clinic in Indiana and the first team was born, Sudden Impact. She became involved with the USPSA in 2006 as a charter board member and concentrates on development and marketing for the organization. For her day job, Karen operates her own printing and design company, Designer Ink, Inc., It gives her the freedom to do what she loves, and that is sharing the sport of power soccer!
Deputy Vice President, Mark Jones
Mark was introduced to Power Soccer in 2006. He responded to an e mail, sent out by Jonathan Newman, looking for outdoor referees to become interested in a different version of the greatest sport in the world. Mark has been an able body referee since the late 1980's and was intrigued by the game of power soccer. He quickly adapted to the laws of the game and has become one of the top referees in the country. Mark resides in Sacramento California with his wife of 37 years and comes from a soccer family with three sons that play and are also referees.
Secretary, Jenny Mitchell
Jenny Mitchell first of learned of power soccer when a friend brought home a pamphlet from a Disability Fair. After participating in her first practice, she was hooked. She has been an athlete for the San Jose Steamrollers in San Jose, California since early 2007. Jenny has been chair of the IT Committee since the summer of 2008, and was elected to her first term as Secretary in June, 2010. She is a freelance web developer in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Treasurer, Nancy Mitchell
Nancy Mitchell has been a power soccer mom since her daughter Jenny joined the San Jose Steamrollers in 2007. She brings to the Executive Board 15 years of experience holding financial offices for council and distrct PTAs, overseeing nearly 200 PTA units in California. In her spare time, she loves to relax with a book.
Eastern Regional Director, Jerry Frick
After Jerry became a quadraplegic in a motorcycle accident in 1989, he became a wheelchair sports junkie. He began playing power soccer in 1992, and in 2001, he moved from California to Georgia to start their first team, the Shepherd Strikers. As a founding member of the Fernando Foundation, Jerry was very involved in the growth of power soccer as a national and international sport. He has been USPSA's Eastern Regional Director since 2007 and currently plays for and coaches the Atlanta Tigers.
Western Regional Director, Jonathan Newman
Since 1997 Jonathan Newman has been the Program Coordinator for the Power Soccer Program at the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) in Berkeley. Jonathan participated in the founding of the USPSA and Federation Internationale de Powerchair Football Association (FIPFA). He is currently the FIPFA Americas Zone President, USPSA Western Regional Director, and is on the staff of Team USA (2007 and 2011). Jonathan resides in Berkeley with his wife, Dawn, and daughter, Aya.
Committees
These committees were created to help develop and maintain the United States Power Soccer Association. With the help of volunteers, coaches, and athletes, these committees will serve as a tool to ensure that this organization continues to grow and develop for years to come. If you would like to be a part of one of these committees, please send an e-mail to the USPSA President.
Athlete Advisory Committee
The Athlete Advisory Committee is responsible for providing insights and opinions of the athletes who participate in the United States Power Soccer Association.
Chair: bspeacock [at] cox [dot] net (Barbara Peacock)
Development & Marketing Committee
The Development and Marketing Committee is responsible for helping to promote the United States Power Soccer Association through all marketing and public relations endeavors.
Chair: marketing [at] powersoccerusa [dot] net (Case Calvert)
Equipment Specifications Committee
The Equipment Specifications Committee is responsible for determining the appropriate specifications for the varying types of equipment that is required to play power soccer.
Chair: joecarrow [at] sbcglobal [dot] net (Joe Carrow)
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the accounting and financial operations of the United States Power Soccer Association.
Chair: none
Hall of Fame Committee
The Hall of Fame Committee is responsible for determining the appropriate qualifications that is required for power soccer athletes to be considered for the USPSA Hall of Fame, as well as determining important milestones in an athlete’s career.
Chair: none
International Committee
The International Committee is responsible for discussing and evaluating all important issues that relate to the international play of power soccer, and the USPSA’s involvement in international competition.
Chair: none
IT Committee
The IT Committee is responsible for maintaining and evaluating all technologies that are used in the operation and promotions of the USPSA.
Chair: itcommittee [at] powersoccerusa [dot] net (Jenny Mitchell)
Legislation & Bylaws Committee
The Legislation and Bylaws Committee is possible for providing opinions and insight into all current and prospective changes to the Legislation and Bylaws of the United States Power Soccer Association.
Chair: ammpratt [at] swbell [dot] net (Mark Pratt)
Officials Committee
The Officials Committee is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the performance and conduct of all referees and Line Judges in the USPSA.
Chair: none
Player Classification Committee
The Players Classification Committee is responsible for providing recommendations and insight into the future classification of athletes in the USPSA.
Chair: none
Rules Committee
The Rules Committee is possible for providing opinions and insight into all current and prospective changes to the rules of the United States Power Soccer Association.
Chair: dfariahome [at] aol [dot] com (Don Faria)
Tournament Selection Committee
The Tournament Selection committee is responsible for evaluating all current and prospective tournament sites for all United States Power Soccer Association tournaments and events.
Chair: jonathan [at] borp [dot] org (Jonathan Newman)
In Memoriam
This page is dedicated to those power soccer athletes and associates who have passed away. We invite the families of the players to contact Karen Russo (exec-vicepresident [at] powersoccerusa [dot] net) if they would like to submit a memorial article for this page.
Alex Cunningham
August 2, 1996 - October 22, 2011
Alec Cunningham moved to Massachusetts from Michigan in August of 2011 and shortly after joined the Sudbury Sharp Shooters power soccer team. A young and aspiring defender, Alec was an enthusiastic and hardworking athlete from the get go. Alec came to practice each week with a radiant smile on his face ready to play and learn more about the game. It did not take long for Alec to realize how much he loved power soccer…he played outside of practice with friends, was the goalie on his school’s TOPS soccer team, and traveled to local clinics around the state just to get more time on the court. Sadly, Alec passed away on the same day that he would have made his first debut in a power soccer game.
We carry Alec’s love for the sport and his zeal for life with us each time we put on our jerseys. We dedicate our season to him.
Memorial contributions can be made to:
Michigan Miracle League (http://www.michiganmiracle.org/donate.html)
19051 San Jose Blvd., Lathrop Village, MI 48076-3323
The Cotting School (www.cotting.org)
453 Concord Ave., Lexington, MA 02421
Camp Chatter Box (www.campchatterbox.org)
PO Box 8310, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Ken Mora
May 6, 1958 to August 2, 2009
Dear Power Soccer Community,
I'm writing to you with sad news about our fellow power soccer teammate Ken. This last weekend Ken passed away after being admitted to hospital for the second time in a month and a half for complications with diabetes. I believe Ken is in a better place now as over the last few months he had been struggling and suffering from the effects of the disease.
Ken came to BORP over two years ago after he recently acquired a power wheelchair. He immediately fell in love with power soccer and never thought he would be playing sports again at his age and with his disability. Ken once told me that power soccer meant many things to him: a reason to get out of the house, socialization with amazing people, a way to contribute to the community, it reignited his passion and drive for sports, gave him the opportunity to participate in other activities, and provided him one more chance to be an athlete And all that comes with it confidence, self-esteem, teamwork, leadership, communication, focus and a physical workout.
Ken truly appreciated the power soccer and BORP communities and I know would like to thank everyone for giving him the gift of team, camaraderie, and sport one more time. So thank you, from Ken.
Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Chris Finn
Head Coach, BORP
Jake Schletwiler
August 31, 1988 to December 2, 2008
To all who knew him, Jake was a pillar of quiet strength. Never one to complain, he consistently took life's worries with a grain of salt, and always seemed to sweeten the ordinary days with a bit of quick wit. (Not to mention he always had drinking straws whenever anyone needed them…!) After a short bout in the hospital set Jake back a few days, he was released in time to enjoy a delightful Thanksgiving holiday with his mom, Malia, and some extended family. We'd like to think that perhaps it was joy that filled his heart so full that it just couldn’t take it, and he passed away on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008.
More than just a superb athlete or a great student, Jake was genuine and kind, compassionate and considerate… most certainly the type of person that we all want to be. Jake owned a kindness known to few men – and with just two decades under his belt, Jake Schleitwiler left an imprint on the hearts of countless individuals across the entire nation, and perhaps even across the globe. As he was active on the Power Soccer court, he had influence on both local athletes that he helped train and international competitors that offered training to him. Jake certainly played competitively, yet always with an encouraging spirit. He often collaborated with the Fernando Foundation staff in training events and new team launches, and his sweet smile encouraged both the staff and participants alike. Jake was an example of cheerfulness in spite of challenges, and just by knowing that about him, we will take a bit of him with us wherever we go. Be cheerful through challenges, remembering that Jake first taught us how!
“The best effect of fine persons is felt after we have left their presence.” - Emerson
Condolences can be sent to Malia Schleitwiler at 2060 Ashton Point Drive, Dacula, GA 30019. Donations in honor of Jake and in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Fernando Foundation at 3550 Corporate Way, Suite C, Duluth, GA 30096. Visit the Fernando Foundation to sign a guest book for Jake.
Peter Anderson
May 27, 1999 - June 3, 2008
More than just an award-winning star on the Power Soccer court, Peter Andersen was a star that shone brightly on everyone’s path that he crossed. Unfortunately, his heart could not handle the stress that his muscular dystrophy put on his body, and Peter passed away on Tuesday morning, June 3rd. Those of us within this loyal family of Power Soccer will remember him not only for his skill on the court and his love for the game, but for his perpetual energy and cheerful character. Peter owned a courage known to few men – and with less than a decade under his belt, Peter Andersen left an imprint on the hearts of countless individuals across the entire nation. He might chase you with his wheelchair, flash a sweet smile to swindle candy from you at a fundraising counter, or contort his hands and arms as if the circus was recruiting him to perform after his game, and all with the ease and charm that came so naturally from him. Our Peter rolled through life without as much as a worry on his shoulder, and found joy in even the smallest tattoo temporarily decorating his forehead. In honor of him, let’s look for joy – CLAIM JOY – in every situation, and find a ray of sunshine, a healthy check- up, or a temporary tattoo to smile about each day. Our Peter was an example of joy in adversity. Our Peter was a star. Our Peter will forever be extraordinary!
“The best effect of fine persons is felt after we have left their presence.” - Emerson
