Adaptive Sports
Warrior Veterans Adaptive Sports Club
The ONLY All-Veteran Power Soccer Team in the United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA)
At the beginning of 2019, Veterans Mobility Projects created an athletic program for veterans; the first and only, all-veteran power soccer team in the United States Power Soccer Association, namely Warrior Veterans Adaptive Sports Club. Since its inception, Warrior Veterans Adaptive Sports Club has grown into a competitive and vivacious team. They have participated in tournaments in Hemet and traveled to compete against other teams in cities across the United States. The largest events they have participated in was The National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Louisville, Kentucky in July 2019 and in New York City, NY in 2021.
Warrior Veterans Adaptive Sports Club, which started solely with power soccer, will now incorporate sports the team has won medals in at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. These sports include archery, nine ball, shot put, javelin throw and more.
This expansion is made possible in part by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, who awarded Veterans Mobility Projects the 2021 2nd Cycle Direct Effect Quality of Life Grant for expansion of our adaptive sports program.
Veterans Mobility Projects is honored for the opportunity to build our program and continue to serve deserving veterans. These funds will make a huge difference in the lives of many veterans. We cannot thank the Reeve Foundation enough for not only granting us this amazing opportunity, but also for helping so many other foundations to achieve their goals.
Thank you to The Reeve Foundation!
The Team
Juan “Johnny” Sandoval is a U.S. Navy veteran, specifically, a 3rd Class Engineman aboard the U.S.S CAYUGA LST 186. He is a Cold War veteran, paralyzed from the waist down. T12-L1 complete paraplegic. Johnny is the team captain of Warrior Veterans Adaptive Sports Club and was one of the first players to join the team. He has participated in both the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and the Winter Sports Clinic. At adaptive sports events, he can always be found giving help to teammates and even crosses the field to help the opposing team. Johnny mentors disabled children and Veterans at the VA Hospital, showing them that they can do so much more than they thought. He always has a great attitude; he is a leader among men and is an inspiration to many.
William “Willie” Hendrickson is a U.S. Army veteran who was homeless before becoming connected with Veterans Mobility Projects. In 2018, Willie was removed from the position of homeless and set up with an apartment, fully furnished by Veterans Mobility Projects. The organization worked with him to learn an occupational skill and to become more involved in the community in Hemet. Willie has participated in adaptive sports programs for the last fourteen years and is currently a team member of Warrior Veterans Adaptive Sports Club. He has been with the team since the beginning and is a key player. He has won gold medals in multiple events at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, he is an ambassador for Invacare Corporation and a member of the American Legion. Willie and his family’s lives have improved immensely over the last two years, and he continues to be a leader.
Al Marconi is a U.S. Army and Navy veteran who served from 1962 to 1968 and 1978 to 1991. His role in the Army was a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare Defense Officer. In the Navy, his role was coxswain (steering) assault boats; their job is to drop Marines off on the beach during an assault. He joined Warrior Veterans Adaptive Sports Club for rehabilitation and to become involved in adaptive sports.
Glenn K. Bryant is a U.S. Navy veteran. He served from January 1999 to April 2003 as an aircraft mechanic. Following his service, Glenn underwent brain surgery at Loma Linda, VA. He became a member of Warrior Veterans Adaptive Sports Club in July 2019.
James Quenzler is a U.S. Army veteran. He served from August 1968 to March 1972 as a translator/interpreter and became an engineer after his service. James is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and is a youth counselor. He is interested in adaptive sports to further his personal improvement.
John Newman is a U.S. Army veteran who joined the services when he was 17 as a military police officer. He served for seven years. He has recently become involved in adaptive sports and is the newest team member of Warrior Veterans Adaptive Sports club as of 2022.
Our goal is to continue helping disabled Veterans to re-enter society as active, productive people and to get them involved with adaptive sports, allowing for major, positive changes in their lives.
If you are interested in joining, supporting or sponsoring Warrior Veterans Adaptive Sports Club, please contact us or email us directly at info@veteransmobilitypjct.org.