University of Arizona Adaptive Athletic Department receives $1 million donation

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - A lot of money is going to the University of Arizona for its Adaptive Athletics Programs, as Cole and Jeannie Davis have donated $1 million to help expand athletic resources.

The money is going toward updated equipment such as wheelchairs, wheels, jerseys, and many other things. And when you pair this with the $6.5 million from the Click family last year, the program is in a good spot financially.

“We’re the best in the world now and it’s because of the Tucson community and because student-athletes are so serious about it,” director of adaptive athletics for the University of Arizona Peter Hughes said.

Not only will this money help with immediate needs, but it will also help the 65 student-athletes get resources on and off the field, such as classes focusing on sports nutrition, sports psychology, and tutoring.

With eight adaptive athletic sports and a new one coming next year, the Adaptive Department is already one of the best in the world, especially after this donation.

”It’ll give us an edge on recruitment, you know when we’re recruiting against those teams like Alabama and Illinois,” Hughes said. “So it’s just remarkable so now you know we have the ability to do things that we didn’t think we’re gonna be able to do until you know 10 years down the line.”

For example, fixing a wheel on a chair costs at least $1,500 and an actual wheelchair costs at least $5,000. So this donation is going to go a long way in replacing old, outdated equipment.

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