[Sportsandrec] Fw: USABA Loses Long-Time Friend and Supporter, Dr. Sue Ponchillia

[Christella Garcia]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: United States Association of Blind Athletes 
To: Christella Garcia 
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 4:50 PM
Subject: USABA Loses Long-Time Friend and Supporter, Dr. Sue Ponchillia





  

USABA LOSES LONG-TIME FRIEND AND SUPPORTER, DR. SUE PONCHILLIA

Long-time USABA member and friend, Dr. Susan Ponchillia, a dedicated coach and distinguished professor at Western Michigan University (WMU) died Oct. 12, 2009 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was 55.

Sue worked extensively with her husband Paul to create and develop annual sports camps for blind athletes held at WMU.  The camps, co-sponsored by the Michigan Blind Athletic Association and USABA, impacted the lives of countless students with visual impairments from across Michigan, the Midwest and from the United States.  Sue also had a direct impact on USABA goalball.  She helped host one of the three long-standing regional tournaments and was also instrumental in developing local goalball athletes, some of whom competed at the international level, including the Paralympic Games. "We have lost an incredible person who made a difference in this world by dedicating her life to improving lives whether especially students and colleagues at WMU, with the natives of Tlicho in Canada and people who are blind and visually impaired.” said Mark Lucas USABA Executive Director.
  
http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2009/10/047.shtml