Kevin Saunders (born December 8, 1955, in Smith Center, Kansas) is an American paralympian and author. PUBLISHED: March 3, 2020 at 1:38 p.m. | UPDATED: March 4, 2020 at 2:31 a.m. ATHERTON More than two months after parting ways with football coach Steve Papin, Menlo-Atherton has found his . He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1996. I love to serve others and live out my Biblical morals and values by example. [2] Twenty six years later, Dole would play a pivotal role in introducing Saunders to President George H. W. Bush, and recommending him for the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. In that capacity, Saunders met with government leaders at the city, state and national level in numerous European countries. [citation needed], Saunders became a motivational speaker and consultant in 1984, shortly after winning the bronze medal at the USATF Championships in Johnson City, Tennessee. Kevin Saunders (born December 8, 1955, in Smith Center, Kansas) is an American Paralympian, author, public speaker and athlete Saunders was the first person from the state of Kansas to make the Paralympic Team USA and also the first Kansan to medal at the 1988 Paralympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. He was also commended for his help in the creation of the National Initiative on Physical Fitness for Children and Youth with Disabilities, or the I Can Do It, You Can Do It Program. Receive no obligation help from us today. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The youngest of three boys, Saunders was born to Donald and Freda Saunders, who owned a farm in north central Kansas. 7/28/2022 11:05 AM. The weather could have been better for Penn State's 2023 Blue-White Game, but it also could have been much worse. Last Update. While Kevin is shy about claiming any credit for the teams success, others seem to feel differently. michaes@uci.edu. Under President George W. Bush, Kevin was named to a Commission by the PCFSN and the US Department of Health and Human Services to come up with a plan to improve fitness and health for people with disabilities. When he opened it, there were over a hundred young players facing us on the other side. By Saunders has also won many road races throughout the United States and in other countries. In fact, the grateful players, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in and out of football, even dedicated an annual award in his honor. Coach Snyder asked Kevin Saunders to stay on as the motivational coach for the Kansas State football team. Kevin Saunders is known as one of the top keynote motivational speaker and safety speakers for corporations, businesses, colleges and companies. Persons permanently confined to wheelchairs are no less able to be successful college students or citizens.. Outside the K-State meeting theater meeting room in the brand new football locker room and facilities that were completed just before the start of the 2015 football season. After graduating from college, Saunders became a federal inspector for the USDA. If there's someone Allar should have strong chemistry with, Saunders is a likely pick. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Saunders became a motivational speaker and consultant in 1984, shortly after winning the bronze medal at the USATF Championships in Johnson City, Tennessee. Touring facilities day after day in the heat, he knew the job wouldnt be easy but he didnt know it would nearly take his life. Some of my duties as motivational coach included speaking and working with the team giving inspirational goal-setting talks. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Later, Coach Snyder asked if Id be interested in staying on as motivational coach for the team, says Kevin. Penn State football coach James Franklin talks to recruits after the Blue-White game on Saturday, April 15, 2023. . While at KSU, he joined the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and continued to play sports until graduating from the university in 1978. Hes gone on to feature in a major motion picture, serve under two administrations on the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness, participate in the biggest turnaround in college sports history, push his wheelchair across North America and Europe, and even pen five books and appear on shows like ESPN, USA Today and countless other national, international and local media outlets. For days, Kevin lay teetering on the edge of life and death, even hearing his doctor admit to a visitor that there wasnt any hope. Against all odds, he survived his injuries only to find that the real trauma was about to begin. Head Coach. Graham served as spiritual counsel to the president, and the two men spent an hour talking and in prayer. Though untrained in the discipline and lacking proper material, he participated, and this led to his entering competitions, finding success at the regional, and then national levels. As the explosion garnered national news coverage, doctors worked to first stabilize Saunders condition, and then to begin treating some of the injuries. He would spend nearly a year in the hospital and in rehabilitation, before being released in a wheelchair, completely paralyzed from the chest down. Gilmer finished that season 4-6, ending up 5th in the region standings. The 2023 Ohio State Buckeyes football team will represent the Ohio State University as a member of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season.The team is expected to be led by Ryan Day in his fifth season as Ohio State's head coach. Playing career [ edit ] Sanders played as a defensive back for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1985 through 1989, earning a letter in each of his last three years. Coach Snyder asked Kevin Saunders to stay on as the motivational coach for the Kansas State football team. From tragedy to triumph, Kevin Saunders has risen to become one of the world's greatest wheelchair athletes and top inspirational speaker and motivational coaches today. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Saunders attributes that conversation with Graham as pivotal in helping strengthen his Faith and his desire to help others through philanthropy and his speaking work. While in Washington, DC to meet with President Bush, Saunders unexpectedly met with Rev. Kevin Saunders's Phone Number and Email. Paralyzed from the chest down, he struggled to find a new meaning and focus for his life. Saunders enjoyed sports from an early age, and by middle school and high school, he was involved with football, basketball, track and baseball. In 2009, Kevin returned to Kansas State Football on a part-time basis, furthering his work with the team. (949) 824 - 8366. If it is, player interest will erode over time. Saunders was 43-94 as coach of the Timberwolves in his two-plus seasons . old school to me, is more of a reference towards fundamentals, simple adjustments, andbeing tough, not insanity that may require some sort of therapy. [7] The suspended grain dust particles instantly ignited, producing a series of powerful explosions that ripped through the facility at a speed calculated by experts at Texas A&M University to be in excess of 1,082ft per second.[8]. C.J. But rather than remain miserable, Kevin did what he now teaches audiences around the world to do he decided to keep moving forward. Helping others and seeing them grow and achieve brings me the most joy.<br>I love my family and I would do anything for my 2 girls. He also gave them gold medals as a symbol of their potential to succeed. In 2009, Kevin returned to Kansas State Football on a part-time basis, furthering his work with the team. Contact. Share More sharing options. He would spend nearly a year in the hospital and in rehabilitation, before being released in a wheelchair, completely paralyzed from the chest down. In 2009, Kevin returned to Kansas State Football on a part-time basis, furthering his work with the team. After four seasons as Pebblebrook's head football coach, Kevin Saunders is leaving the program in better shape than it was when he first arrived. I would even say that some of these kids now days need some "old school" in their lives. Never met Kevin, I've only heard things. Public Records Email: kevin@kevinsaunders.com. Paramedics found Saunders over 300 ft away, a crumpled mass lying in a pool of blood on a concrete parking lot. Motivational speaker, paralympian, author. During the tour, Saunders also visited over 50 childrens hospitals. He would go on to win hundreds of medals in both domestic and international competitions. Saunders signed up, though he had only participated in wheelchair basketball and had never trained for a wheelchair race. We have estimated Sumlin is dismissed in Year 3; he leaves with a record of 9-20 and a 12-game losing streak. Saunders attended college on athletic scholarships for football, track and field, and soccer. In 1996 Coach Leavitt returned to his roots in Tampa, Florida to start the USF football team from scratch. Saunders has also been recognized among Kansas State's 30 most famous alumni.[5]. Saunders attended college on athletic scholarships for football, track and field, and soccer. Everybody wants their son to play for Bobby Knight until theson becomesthe next Neil Reed! Kevin Saunders. Under President George W. Bush, Kevin was named to a Commission by the PCFSN and the US Department of Health and Human Services to come up with a plan to improve fitness and health for people with disabilities. In fact, the grateful players, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in and out of football, even dedicated an annual award in his honor. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In 1988, the City Council in Downs, KS voted to proclaim Downs the Home of Kevin Saunders World Champion Wheelchair Athlete, erecting signs on Hwy 24 East and West. Many others suffered severe, life-altering injuries requiring extended hospitalization. Over the following months, I spent a lot of time on campus talking to engineering students, athletes and professors. After just two season with the Gilmer Bobcats, Kevin Saunders will be looking for a new home. Fresh out of college and starting a family, he worked long hours as a Federal grain elevator inspector. They went on to win that game. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. After just two season with the Gilmer Bobcats, Kevin Saunders will be looking for a new home. [15] Despite the early setback, however, he enjoyed this new sport and made a decision that he would become a better wheelchair athlete. Fixing a Struggling Program with Kevin Saunders, Head Football Coach Gilmer GA - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube. Features of the Timberwolves in his two-plus seasons speaking and working with the team giving inspirational talks. Donald and Freda Saunders, who owned a farm in north central Kansas alumni. 5... 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