The National Sports Center for the Disabled, one of the nation’s leading providers of adaptive outdoor recreation, has been honored with the 2024 Top of the Hill award from The Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame. Staff from the sports center attended the award ceremony Sept. 7 at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail. This award category recognizes entities that have contributed to the development of skiing in Colorado.
“The NSCD (National Sports Center for the Disabled) is honored to receive this distinguished award from the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame,” said Julie Taulman, president and CEO of the organization. “Our team works day in and day out to provide opportunities in sports — we are focused on finding adaptations for any person with a cognitive or physical disability who wishes to get outside and enjoy Colorado’s beautiful scenery through sports.”
Hal O’Leary founded the National Sports Center for the Disabled in 1970 at Winter Park Resort by teaching a group of amputees from the children’s hospital about adaptive skiing. In 1990, O’Leary was named to the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame. He revolutionized the adaptive ski industry and broke down the barriers between sports and those living with disabilities.
The sports center now offers both recreation and competitive adaptive programs in more than 20 summer and winter sports. Skiers who have trained with the center have gone on to become world champions in adaptive skiing.
