"Humanics, Hope, and Grit: Powerful Catalysts for the Paralympic Movement" (2010)

Item Information

Title:
"Humanics, Hope, and Grit: Powerful Catalysts for the Paralympic Movement" (2010)
Description:
Springfield College faculty member and alumnus Robert W. Accorsi presented “Humanics, Hope, and Grit: Powerful Catalysts for the Paralympic Movement” on April 22, 2010 at the Distinguished Professor of Humanics Lecture.
Creator:
Accorsi, Robert W.
Date:
April 22, 2010
Format:
Documents
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Series:
Distinguished Professor of Humanics Collection
Subjects:
Springfield College
Springfield College--Faculty
Springfield College--Alumni and alumnae
Humanics
Wyld, Jean
Flynn, Richard B.
Accorsi, Robert W.
Barkman, Robert C.
Paralympics
Paralympic Games
Athletes
Sports
Sportsmanship
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Extent:
14 Pages
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/6254
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Language:
English
Notes:
Accorsi was the Distinguished Professor of Humanics for the 2009-2010 school year. In his talk, Accorsi explains the history of the Paralympics movement, beginning with the creation of athletic opportunities for veterans recently returned from the battlegrounds of World War II. He then ties the movement’s success into his interpretation of the Humanics philosophy. He argues that “servant leadership” is the core of Humanics and “grit” is the philosophy’s framework. Accorsi defines grit as “a single-minded persistence to create change in spite of insurmountable barriers.” During this part of the speech, Accorsi pauses to show a video from an awards ceremony in which the Grit Award was presented to those who have been pioneers in the sport coalition for athletes with disabilities. Accorsi then discusses the perseverance and spirit found in the Paralympic movement, and plays another short video to emphasize his point. In the last section of his speech, he describes “the power of sport to teach, inform and change attitudes” and then plays a short video showcasing athletes with disabilities who were invited to Springfield College the previous year to play sports. Accorsi closes by reading a poem written by the U.S. Paralympics titled “Amazing Waits.” Robert W. Accorsi earned his BS from Westfield State College in 1977. After graduation, he began working as a counselor at a Children’s Study Home in Springfield, Massachusetts. During this time, he enrolled at Springfield College and ultimately graduated in 1980 with his master’s in education. In 1980, he became the Sports and Recreation Director for United Cerebral Palsy of Western Massachusetts, a position he remained dedicated to for the next seven years. Springfield College hired Accorsi in 1985 as an adjunct professor. Two years later, he became a full-time faculty member in the recreation and leisure department. In 1988, Holyoke Community College hired him as the coordinator of disabled student services. In 2009, Accorsi was appointed Springfield College’s Distinguished Professor of Humanics. Accorsi is actively involved with the United States Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association, the Learning Assistance Association of New England, and the National Therapeutic Recreation Association. He also served as president of the New England Cerebral Palsy Coaches Association and on the board of directors for the United States Association for Cerebral Palsy Athletics.
Identifier:
humanics-lecture-accorsi-2010