Michigan Disability Sports Alliance is the governing body for the Michigan Victory Games. The Board consists of people from across the state that volunteer their time and hard work to make sure that athletes with disabilities have opportunities and experiences that are equivalent to those non-disabled athletes. We are a regional non-profit organization that promotes competitive and recreational sports for athletes with physical disabilities as well as educational workshops for coaches and athletes alike.
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Michigan Disability Sports Alliance
2010 Board of Directors
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Mary Ann Weaver expresses her views on the Michigan Victory Games:
I am so impressed with what Games offer to the athletes, their families, and the volunteers. The athletes are able to compete with their peers and can feel the joy of competition, the loss of defeat, and gain the dedication it takes to improve in the sports they do. They gain independence from their families as they stay in the dorms and are cared for by their coaches and volunteers. This helps the families ‘let go’ and helps the athlete gain the skills necessary to continue their development and live in the world around them. The families can see their athlete succeeding. The coaches and volunteers gain from experiencing the overwhelming efforts many of these athletes give in order to push themselves to new levels in their particular sport. We all improve ourselves by giving and the coaches and volunteers are to be honored for what they allow the athletes to accomplish. Thank you to everyone who makes MVG possible. Your donation of time, money, services, whatever, is what makes this possible for each and every athlete. They improve and gain more independence because of what each person/organization donates. Thank you!
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Mary Ann Weaver
Position: President
Mary Ann’s son has been a member of the Grand Rapids Eagles team for 10 years. Over the years he has attended the MVG, She has learned more about the organization and slowly became more involved. She has been a Board member for the Grand Rapids Eagles for several years, and has been a MDSA Board member for 3 years.
cohrsmac@comcast.net
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Ryan Husch
Position: Vice President
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Fundraising Coordinator
Ryan started volunteering for the Michigan Victory Games and then moved his way up to coaching for the Mighty Oaks team. With years of experience under his belt Ryan joined the governing board and has continued insuring the future success of the Michigan Victory Games. Ryan has always had a passion for helping people, with his day job as a firefighter & paramedic for Bloomfield Township Fire Department.
ryanhusch@yahoo.com
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Katie Ellis
Position: Secretary
Katie has been involved with the Michigan Victory Games for the past 7 years, starting out with the Battle Creek Bears Team. She has been active on the Michigan Disability Sports Alliance Board for the last 4 years. While living in the Kalamazoo area, she originally learned of the Games while in college and working with the head coach of the Battle Creek Bears. Katie is a Special Education Teacher and she helped develop the Muskegon Waves team after moving to the Muskegon area.
kd8283@yahoo.com
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Lori Soma
Position: Treasurer
Lori has been involved with the Michigan Victory Games for more than 20 years and the Michigan Disability Sports Alliance Treasurer for a large portion of that time. She is a certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, certified Youth Sports Administrator, and Recreation Supervisor at Waterford Township Parks and Recreation.
lsoma@twp.waterford.mi.us
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Marissa Siebel
Position: Outreach & Recreational Events
This is Marissa Siebel's first year involved with the Michigan Victory Games. She volunteered her time to be an athletic trainer for the Games. She is currently a graduate assistant athletic trainer for Michigan State University. "The spirit of the Michigan Victory Games is in the hearts of the athletes and the volunteers, a huge thank you to everyone who makes this event so amazing" said Marissa.
siebelma@msu.edu
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Rafael Ortiz
Position: Athlete Representative (East)
Rafael has been active with the Michigan Disability Sports Alliance and the Games for many years. He is very dedicated in his duty as athlete representative. Please contact him if you have any questions, concerns or input that will help to make this year's Games a success. You may fill out the e-form provided to the right or you may reach him at
mvg.athlete@yahoo.com
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Matthew Weaver
Position: Athlete Representative (West)
Matthew originally got involved in the Michigan Victory Games through the Grand Rapids Eagles competitive sports team. For over 10 years he has been participating and volunteering for the Games. Matthew likes how competitive and fun the Games are, he also enjoys the new friendships that result from attending the Games. Matthew is currently a student at Davenport University.
mrw66855@comcast.net
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Adam Brewster
Position: Fundraising Coordinator
This is Adam's first term serving on the MiDSA Board! He has been involved with the Michigan Victory Games for several years as a coach for the Royal Oak Charging Knights.
adambrewster@hotmail.com.
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Kyle Hosler
Position: Fundraising Coordinator
Kyle has been involved with the Michigan Victory Games since the May of 2008. He was originally approached by Stella Husch to help with the Games and since than he has been very active. Kyle currently attends Michigan State University for his higher education and he believes that helping the Games offers great opportunities for both the athletes and himself.
hoslerky@msu.edu
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Mary Ellen Clancy
Position: Public Relations
New as of June 2008, Mary Ellen Clancy holds the position of Public Relations. She joined the board to make a difference and volunteer her time to see a benefit become established with willing athlete's. One of her goals is to support and coach a new team. Mary's biggest thrill in the Victory Games is when she looks into the faces of the athletes and see's the joy the Games bring them. Mary says " I am willing to encourage, support, coach anyone in need of meeting their goal to become a team player". Mary is also a specialist for the Spinal Cord Injury Home Care (Aegis Health Perspectives, Inc.).
mayellen@aegishp.com
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Aaron Whatley
Position: Website Coordinator
I started volunteering for the Michigan Victory Games in 2006 and since then I have been involved more and more. I have really enjoyed the games because the athletes, volunteers and coaches make it such a pleasant atmosphere to be involved with. I will continously invest my time, efforts and devotions into the future success of the Michigan Victory Games for many years to come.
web.coordinator@yahoo.com
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