Andy Chasanoff

Andy Chasanoff headshot

1998

Andy Chasanoff has been one of the foremost leaders in the development of junior wheelchair sports in the United States, with a legacy that has left a lasting impact at the regional, national, and international levels. His dedication, vision, and leadership helped shape the modern structure of youth adaptive athletics, inspiring countless young athletes to pursue excellence through sport.

A native of Garwood, New Jersey, Andy built the Children’s Specialized Hospital team into one of the largest and most successful junior wheelchair sports programs in the nation. Over the course of thirteen years as program director, he introduced hundreds of junior athletes to wheelchair sports — fostering not only athletic skill but also teamwork, confidence, and lifelong participation.

Andy’s influence extended far beyond his local program. He hosted more than forty regional competitions across the Tri-State Region, providing young athletes with opportunities to train, compete, and grow in an environment of support and inclusion.

At the national level, Andy’s contributions were equally transformative. In 1982, he became a founding member of the Wheelchair Sports USA Junior Committee, a group instrumental in establishing the framework for organized junior competition across the country. He later served as Chairman from 1988 to 1994, a period widely recognized as the greatest era of growth in the junior wheelchair sports movement. Even after stepping down as Chair, Andy continued to serve on the committee until 1999, ensuring its sustained development and success.

During his tenure, he also hosted two Wheelchair Sports USA Junior National Championship competitions, events that brought together the best young athletes in the nation and showcased the potential of youth adaptive sports on a national stage.

Andy was among the first individuals in the United States to lead organized junior wheelchair sports teams, setting a model for others to follow. His lifelong commitment to nurturing opportunity for young athletes has been instrumental in transforming wheelchair sports from small, localized programs into a thriving, national network.

Through his leadership, mentorship, and enduring dedication, Andy Chasanoff helped pave the way for generations of adaptive athletes — ensuring that the spirit of competition, inclusion, and excellence would continue to flourish nationwide.