2024 USABA Sport Ambassadors

HOMETOWN: Fort Worth, Texas

Ricardo’s sports adventure started at the age of 7, playing little league American football with his cousin as his partner in crime. Soon after running the ball up and down the field a few times, they began to kick a soccer ball just for fun. Ricardo began to find that he could not play soccer due to the ball’s speed making it look as if it was a fly or blur in the air, so he began to compromise by just running the ball, blocking a player, or even just playing before the game with teammates. He was soon pulled from all sports due to an accident in an indoor soccer field before the game. As his vision deteriorated Ricardo began to find help with the Texas School For The Blind which not only gave him the knowledge to navigate the world but showed him sports and physical fitness in a whole new light, from starting with goalball courts to the sparring mats of wrestling and judo, and now to blind soccer.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: “As a USABA Sport Ambassador, my goal is to expand the reach of sports for the blind, especially by introducing blind soccer to new audiences. Personally, sports for the blind have been life-changing, providing not just physical activity and competition but also teaching me resilience, teamwork and personal growth. Through my ambassadorship, I hope to inspire others with visual impairments to embrace the transformative power of sports, showing them that they can overcome any obstacle and achieve success both on and off the field.”

HOMETOWN: Columbus, Ohio

A silver medalist in goalball at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Mindy is a current member of the USA Goalball Women’s National Team. With seven years of experience, her favorite position on the court is center. Off the court, Mindy is a full-time contracting officer and has a weakness for anything ice cream or flavored with pumpkin spice.

IN HER OWN WORDS: “Goalball has played an impactful role in my life. Through goalball, I’ve discovered a supportive community of friends and found the confidence and leadership skills I never knew I possessed. Goalball taught me that I can thrive in team sports with a visual impairment. As a USABA Sports Ambassador, I hope to achieve greater awareness of the blind sports USABA offers and provide outreach to youth athletes.”

HOMETOWN: Raleigh, North Carolina

Lex is the best totally blind long and triple jumper in the history of the U.S. Paralympic movement. He is the current world record holder in the long jump, a five-time Paralympic medalist, a four-time long jump world champion and an 18-time national champion. He is the only totally blind athlete to ever eclipse the 22-foot barrier in the long jump. 

IN HIS OWN WORDS: “USABA is the sole organization that played a major role in me gaining my start in the Paralympics. I can remember raising funds to attend my first USABA national championships and I’ve participated in multiple USABA-sponsored sports education camps. Those opportunities gave me the chance to participate in sports alongside other athletes who were blind and visually impaired, helped to sharpen my athletic skills and ultimately helped me gain the confidence I would need to become a multi-time Paralympic medalist. At this juncture in my career, it is my goal to pass along everything that I’ve learned to the athletes coming after me. I’d also like to bring more awareness to USABA and help the organization continue building on the success that’s currently illuminating through its teams and programs.”

HOMETOWN: Boynton Beach, Florida

Je’Von competes in track & field, specializing in the 400 & 800 meters. He won a bronze medal in the 600 meters at the 2015 USA Track & Field Indoor Championships. While attending Hampton University, Je’Von won the 400 meter indoor title at the MEAC Conference Championship. He lowered his indoor school record 400 meter time his senior year and qualified for the NCAA Championship in the 400 and 4×400 meter relay. He would go on to reach the semifinal round of the USA Outdoor Championship in 2014.

In His Own Words: “Entering my second year as a USABA Sport Ambassador, I remain dedicated to shedding light on the significance of adaptive sports for individuals with visual impairments. My passion for sports and fitness has always been a driving force, leading me to excel in track and field. As an alumnus of Hampton University, where I earned degrees in business administration, I’ve developed a strategic mindset to complement my athletic pursuits. Serving as a guide runner for the visually impaired community has provided me with a unique perspective on the transformative power of blind sports. My mission is clear: to raise awareness about the life-changing opportunities these sports offer while inspiring others to pursue their dreams. Through advocacy for inclusivity and breaking stereotypes, I aim to empower individuals with visual impairments to achieve their full potential. With each stride on the track, I’m fueled by determination, hard work, and perseverance, using my platform to make a positive impact and drive change.”

HOMETOWN: Virginia Beach, Virginia

Christian King is a member of the USA Goalball Men’s National Team and has been playing goalball since 2015. He was born in Powhatan, Virginia, and attended the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind (VSDB). It was there that he learned about goalball as well as other adaptive sports. Once Christian found goalball he realized it was something he wanted to play at its highest level. His hard work and dedication paid off when he was afforded the opportunity to train in the USA Goalball Resident Program in 2021. Christian’s first international tournament with Team USA was in February of 2022. Since then, he has been working hard every day to pursue his dream of competing in the Paralympic Games.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: “Without goalball I probably would not be playing any sports today. It is because of goalball that I am able to compete at the highest level possible in the sport that I love. I am hoping to be an advocate for the sport of goalball and to find a way to connect goalball to other blind sports communities. I want to meet new people and share experiences with them that can help me to understand and ultimately better the community of blind athletes we have.”

HOMETOWN: Commerce Township, Michigan

John is a math and physics teacher at the Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southwest in Wixom, Michigan. He teaches high school juniors and seniors from several different school districts in Southwest Oakland County. He is legally blind due to a degenerative hereditary eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa. He earned his master’s degree in mathematics in 2009 from Western Michigan University. John’s 10-year-old son, George, is in fifth grade and John’s wife, Jessica, is a teacher of children who are blind or visually impaired. John is a Paralympic silver medalist in the sport of goalball. He has worked in many mentoring roles for young people who are blind or visually impaired as well as their parents and teachers. He has played many blind sports such as hockey and marathon running and is becoming an experienced cross country skier and biathlete.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: “As a youngster I loved playing sports, but as I got older and lost more vision I could not play as hard as I wanted to play. When I attended the Sports Education Camp for blind and visually impaired kids at Western Michigan University I fell in love with goalball. I found a sport I could really compete in and a group of blind and visually impaired people to learn and grow with. I would love for every blind or visually impaired person to find a way to be competitive and find other blind and visually impaired people to bond with.”

HOMETOWN: Greenville, Michigan

Tyler is a four-time Paralympic athlete with the USA Goalball Men’s Team, motivational speaker, personal trainer and owner of ReVision Training LLC. Born in Michigan with an eye condition known as retinitis pigmentosa. Despite his visual challenges he grew up with a love for sports and activities which transferred into his baccalaureate in exercise science and career as a personal trainer and elite athlete. His wife Leanne, who is also blind, and he, have four children and currently live in Greenville, Michigan, where Tyler is working for Camp Tuhsmeheta, an outdoor adventure camp for blind students, running his business, developing the ReVision Fitness audio fitness program, homeschooling his children, training for the USA Goalball Team, and being the best husband and father he can be. Tyler believes that his family, faith, and sport were the three pillars that helped him learn the keys to success of hard work, perseverance, and humility, and sees adaptive sports as a crucial element in the lives of blind youth and adults.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: “Sport taught me the power of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance and through the Sport Ambassador Program, I am looking to support all blind athletes who are seeking to better their lives through sport and fitness.”

HOMETOWN: Plainfield, New Jersey

Jasmine was born with congenital glaucoma.  For the better part of her life, as a result of her visual difficulties, she poured everything she had into her education. Jasmine has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. It wasn’t until 2014 that she was introduced to adaptive sports and it forever changed her life. Jasmine was presented with an opportunity to challenge herself, test her abilities, and explore facets of herself that she didn’t get to pursue while in high school or college. She became a multi-sport athlete, competing in beep baseball, goalball and running (track & endurance events). In 2019, Jasmine represented the United States at the Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru, an amazing experience that elevated her sports aspirations and left her wanting more. Following the return to activities after the COVID-19 pandemic, blind soccer and rowing have been added to her list. Currently, Jasmine’s main sports are running (track & endurance events) and rowing. She hopes to be able to compete on the world’s largest stage, the Paralympics, in the near future. In addition to being an athlete, Jasmine is a model and soon-to-be student (going back to college to get her doctorate degree). 

IN HER OWN WORDS: “Sports play a critical role in our society and it’s only natural to want to be able to have the same experiences as our counterparts. Because of my disability, I felt like I was at a disadvantage to my peers growing up; opportunities to engage in sports and/or physical activities were limited for safety purposes. It was not until I was an adult that I learned about adaptive sports and had the chance to get involved. Blind sports have had a positive impact on my life ever since! These sports promote inclusion, whether a recreational athlete or an elite athlete, it brings together people with similar backgrounds. For me, outside of my family, I did not know many individuals who had the same interests as me, therefore, my involvement allowed me to interact with like-minded individuals. Along with movement and being active, socialization is another area of importance. These components all contribute to an individual’s quality of life and people with disabilities are more likely to fall short in these areas. One reason for this is a lack of knowledge. As a sport ambassador, I will work to spread awareness. Not everyone has the same upbringing or resources; I will use outreach to teach communities about blindness and adaptive sports.”

HOMETOWN: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Emma is a junior at Slippery Rock University majoring in special education transition programming with minors in adapted physical activity and recreational therapy. Being physically active and participating in sports has always been important to her and a big part of her life. Shortly after being adopted, Emma started doing gymnastics because it was something she didn’t need too much vision for. She also played basketball in third grade for her school. Emma wanted to do more sports but finding a sport that she could participate in safely and be able to keep up with her peers was hard due to her visual impairment. The summer before her 7^th-grade year changed Emma’s life forever. She attended a local sports camp for the BVI community called Envision Blind Sports. At this camp, Emma met other kids who were just like her and were facing similar challenges. She also found the world of blind sports and adapted sports which taught her there was a whole other world out there. Emma continued to attend any Envision events possible and started playing blind ice hockey in high school. Growing up, Emma and her dad watched hockey together and finding a way that she could successfully play hockey brought so much joy for both of them. She also fell in love with downhill skiing which is something and has had the opportunity to participate in many clinics for goalball and blind soccer.

IN HER OWN WORDS: “Blind sports have opened my world and given me so many opportunities to challenge myself, put myself out there, and share my passion with others. As a USABA Sports Ambassador, I want to give other individuals who are blind or visually impaired the same experiences I have been so lucky to have. I want to help educate and advocate for the world of adaptive sports and get as many people involved as possible because everyone deserves the chance to be physically active and be a part of a team no matter their disability. I hope to spread the world of blind sports through sharing my experiences, teaching others at clinics, and connecting with anyone who wants to be involved in blind sports whether they’re an athlete, guide/coach, or supporter. I can’t wait to meet you at a practice, clinic, tournament, or wherever our paths may cross!”   

HOMETOWN: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Calahan hails from Pittsburgh, Pa., and has been playing goalball for over 17 years. He has been a member of the USA Men’s National Goalball Team since 2017 and graduated from George Mason University with a master’s in healthcare administration. In addition, Calahan serves on the USABA board of directors as an athlete representative, also serving on the audit and finance committee. 

IN HIS OWN WORDS: “Sports have played a pivotal role in shaping my identity and aspirations. Growing up in a family that embraced every sport imaginable, I eagerly participated in baseball, basketball, track and field, and football. This early exposure provided me with a solid foundation for team sports and instilled in me a relentless drive to compete and collaborate with others. However, it was the discovery of adaptive sports that truly transformed my life. Embarking on journeys across the country and around the world, I forged meaningful connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of camaraderie that transcended borders. Engaging in adaptive sports not only broadened my horizons but also significantly bolstered my confidence, a key factor that propelled me to pursue and achieve both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. As a USABA Sport Ambassador, I am eager to leverage this platform to become an advocate and role model for the next generation of blind athletes. By sharing my personal journey, I aim to illustrate the profound impact of being active and involved in such a vibrant community. Moreover, I aspire to provide insights into the arduous path leading up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, shedding light on the rigorous strength and conditioning regimens, the relentless grind of practices and competitions, and the unparalleled experience of participating in the Paralympics. Through this role, I hope to inspire others to overcome obstacles, pursue their dreams, and contribute to the ongoing legacy of adaptive sports.”