Bernstein Named to Hall of Fame

Six Athletes Inducted into Hall

The Oakland Press

By Jerry Wolffe
November 9, 2006

Six athletes are being named tonight to the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, including a prominent Farmington Hills attorney.

The eighth annual Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame induction ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Detroit Marriott Troy. Former Detroit Lions Coach Steve Mariucci is serving as honorary chairman.

The keynote speaker is Zoe Koplowitz of New York City, an author who has multiple sclerosis and diabetes and has competed in more than 20 marathons.

Businessman Tony Filippis Sr. founded the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame in 1999 to honor disabled athletes and raise consciousness about disabled sports competitions.

The 2006 inductees include attorney Richard Bernstein, a marathon runner who will receive the Rick Knas Lifetime Achievement Award.

Bernstein, who is blind, has competed in several marathons and speaks at schools on the importance of physical fitness. He also is a member of the Wayne State Board of Governors and teaches political science at the University of Michigan.

Other inductees are Cliff Crase of Phoenix, who publishes Paraplegia News and Sports-N-Spokes magazine, Michael McColgan of Danville, Calif., the late Walter Runchey of Garden City and Paul Schulte of Manchester.

Jarrod Starkey of Bay City will receive the Mark “Doc” Andrews Rising Star Award, which recognizes a Michigan resident younger than 25 who has competed as an athlete with a disability and exemplifies determination and achievement.

In addition, the 14 members of the Great Lakes Storm, a “quad rugby” wheelchair team, are the 2006 Athletes of the Year.