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January 27, 2022Empire State Winter Games Torch Relay Stops at Phillips Hardware
The torch relay for New York’s largest sporting event made a scheduled stop in the Capital Region on its way to Lake Placid. The Empire State Winter Games came to Phillips Hardware on Tuesday, February 1st at 6517 Route 158 in Altamont. There was a brief ceremony with remarks from the torch bearer.
The stop honored STRIDE’s Capital District Sled Warriors, a sled hockey team of local athletes with disabilities, who will have their photo taken with the torch. The team, which won a gold medal in 2020 games, is hungry for gold again this year and looking for a supportive send off from the community.
The trip of the torch over 700 miles is symbolic of the games uniting the entire state in friendly competition which is inclusive of athletes with disabilities. Just as fast-paced and physical as stand-up hockey, sled hockey follows most of the typical ice hockey rules with the exception of equipment. Players in this Paralympic sport sit in specially designed sleds with two hockey skate blades, and each player uses two sticks instead of one.
According to STRIDE Adaptive Sports founder and CEO, Mary Ellen Whitney, the games are a time for athletes with disabilities to shine and be recognized for their hard work, daily struggles, and positive attitude. “I founded STRIDE to promote equal opportunity in sports no matter what the disability,” said Whitney. “Locally, people are becoming aware of these hometown athletes, their interesting sports, and their hard work to overcome daily struggles. Sled hockey is challenging both physically and skill-wise. Now, we are sending off the team to Lake Placid to go for the gold, and I am happy they will get recognition on a broader level.”
Since 2006, Jon Phillips, owner of Phillips Hardware has been a supporter of CD Sled Warriors. The Phillips Family has helped raise for STRIDE over $150,000 over the years as well as supported marketing efforts. “My family has been inspired by watching the success and tenacity of these adaptive athletes,” said Jon Phillips. The equipment and other associated expenses are very costly for adaptive athletes. In order for the CD Sled Warriors to continue their participation in this sport more funds are still needed. If you couldn’t attend the torch ceremony and want to donate, go to https://www.stride.org/sledhockey. For info at cpawlawski@stride.org or call STRIDE’s office at (518)-598-1279.
