GLASA Great Lake Games

Description

2025 GLASA Great Lakes Games In Partnership With The Hartford to Host Hundreds of Athletes With Disabilities

The Hartford and World Champion Paratriathlon Hailey Danz, to surprise local athletes

with custom-fit adaptive sports equipment

LAKE FOREST, IL— May 21, 2025—Hundreds of athletes with disabilities are preparing to compete at the 2025 GLASA Great Lakes Games in Partnership with The Hartford at Lake Forest High School, in Lake Forest, Ill. as well as several additional sites from June 11-16. Like past GLASA greats, these competitors will have the opportunity to compete on national, regional, and potentially the worldwide stage based on the results from this long-standing Chicagoland competition. 

With the organization closing its 25^th year serving the community, the 2025 Great Lakes Games in Partnership with The Hartford will kick off with a para pickleball tournament followed by sanctioned competitions in archery, boccia, para powerlifting, paratriathlon, shooting, swim, and track & field. Free clinics will be offered in swim, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair football and more for those new to adaptive sports.

This GLASA Great Lakes Games serves as a starting point for many adaptive athletes looking to compete on a larger platform and as a classification site and a qualifier for The Hartford Nationals. With important contributions from The Hartford and other Games sponsors, GLASA supports athletes with disabilities, including injured Veterans, who might not otherwise be able to compete. GLASA serves more than 1,000 athletes across their 20+ adaptive and Parasports. 

“I have seen firsthand how important GLASA is for individuals of all ages with a disability to be able to participate in sports for the first time and experience the transformative power it has on their lives by creating self-confidence, building friendships, and improving mental health. Partners like The Hartford allow GLASA to serve our 1,000 athletes at all levels,” said GLASA Founder, Cindy Housner. “GLASA provides training and equipment to our athletes thanks to our supporters. We continue to build a pipeline of future adaptive athletes, with our youngest Games competitor often being just three or four years old.” 

The Hartford, along with World Champion Paratriathlon Hailey Danz, will surprise three athletes with custom-fit adaptive sports equipment. The cost of adaptive sports equipment is approximately fifteen times more expensive than traditional sports equipment and is often a barrier to participation.

This event is part of The Hartford’s Adaptive Sports Competition Series. The series features five premier competitive events across the country and includes surprise custom equipment donations and meet and greets with champion para-athletes. The Hartford also presents an athlete, nominated by the community, with a Human Achievement Award. This award, a $2,500 grant, recognizes individuals who advocate for the adaptive sports movement and serve as an inspiring role model. All five events are sanctioned by Move United and applicable national governing bodies and often serve as a pipeline to elite competition at the national and international level. The competition serves as a qualifier for The Hartford Nationals conducted by Move United, scheduled for July 11-17, 2025, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

To compete, volunteer, or support the event, visit GreatLakesGames.org.

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ABOUT GLASA

The Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association is an Illinois-based 501c3 nonprofit organization and proudly serves as a chapter of Move United. GLASA provides a continuum of 20+ adaptive sports to athletes of all ages from the beginner to elite level, including injured military personnel. GLASA believes that no one should sit on the sidelines. More information about GLASA can be found at: https://www.GLASA.org   

ABOUT THE HARTFORD  

The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, employee benefits and mutual funds. With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at https://www.thehartford.com.

The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s legal notice.