Denise Hutchins
As a physical therapist working with patients with a variety of disabilities in rehabilitation, including pediatrics, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury since 1979, and the last 20 years as a contract PT where Denise has worked in a variety of settings both inpatient and outpatient in various facilities throughout the state of Oklahoma. In 1983 she began her career in para-sport as a member of the board of directors for the newly formed organization Greater Oklahoma Wheelchair Athletic Association and served as coach and meet director. In the late 1980’s she became an athletics (track and field) official for the National Wheelchair Athletic Association (now Move United) and USA Track and Field, progressing in that area to become a referee at the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta. Also in 1990 she became a National Classifier for NWAA, and completed her first course for international certification. After all of her children completed high school, she returned to complete her international certification in athletics classification in 2005. In 2011, she became a Chief Classifier for IPC Athletics, and one year later in 2012 completed the IPC Athletics Classification Educator course which has provided her the opportunity to not only serve as a classifier/administrator at national and international meets but teach Para-athletics Classification courses throughout the world. In 2021 she was able to also complete her training for certification as a classifier for World Para Powerlifting, and in 2023 completed training as a national official for Para Powerlifting. Since 1984 she has served as meet manager for local, regional, and national multi-sport events, with an emphasis on track and field the past few years including The Hartford Nationals conducted by Move United. From 1988-2008 she served as a member of the Committee on Athletics for the Disabled (now Para Committee) for USATF, assisting with the inclusion of the rules differences for Para events and initial Para Athletics questions to be included in the Track and Field officials Association level tests.
She continues to work as a contract physiotherapist in a variety of settings in a part time capacity in order to allow her the time to travel for competitions and teaching. Denise is married with three children and 12 grandchildren.
Position
- Competition Committee
The Competition Committee includes a diverse representation of voices from the competition space. The group’s focus is on how Move United can better serve athletes in competition and support event directors currently hosting competition and those interested in hosting competition in the future. To learn more or contact members of the team, please email jcloy@moveunitedsport.org.
