USA Wheelchair League Event Headed to Grayslake, Illinois

The USA Wheelchair Football League will host the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association’s first home tournament on August 13–14 at College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois.

The USAWFL is a program of Move United that is made possible by support from the National Football League and Bob Woodruff Foundation partnership, which is part of the league’s Salute to Service initiative as well as local support by the Chicago Bears.

Wheelchair athletes from across the country will compete in tournament play, with kickoff on August 13 with two fields running concurrently in parking lot No. 8 at College of Lake County. A champion will be crowned August 14. Chicago Bears alumnus Kaseem Sinceno is scheduled to attend and serve as an honorary coach for the GLASA Chicago Bears during Sunday’s game.

“We are excited to kick off our second full season with this tournament hosted by GLASA, one of our exemplary member organizations,” said Move United Executive Director Glenn Merry. “With the league expansion and new teams added this year, that was made possible by the NFL and the Bob Woodruff Foundation, we can’t wait to see more players compete and leave it all out on the field.”

GLASA provides 20-plus adaptive and Paralympic sports year-round, including the GLASA Chicago Bears competitive team and recreational wheelchair football. The GLASA Chicago Bears were part of the original four teams when the league started in 2019, including teams in Los Angeles, Kansas City, and Arizona.

Dave Michael, Mak Nong and Jeff Yackley serve as the captains of the GLASA Chicago Bears Wheelchair Football Team, led by coach and GLASA Board President Jason Sfire.

“Being part of the GLASA Chicago Bears Wheelchair Football Team has not only provided me with a better quality of life physically, but mentally as well. The camaraderie that I feel within this team is unparalleled,” said Nong, an all-pro selection last season.

In addition to supporting the USAWFL’s competitive teams, the grant from the NFL and BWF partnership provides opportunities for grassroots growth of the sport through coaching education and learn-to-play clinics.