Charlie Sheppard
2003
Charlie Sheppard has been a major asset to the Wheelchair Sports USA Junior Program, both as an official and a computer expert. As a retired IBM computer engineer, Charlie was responsible for writing and implementing computer programs while training and assisting staff with the computer technology.
Charlie was the co-creator, along with Gregg Baumgarten, of the WSUSA SAMS (Sport Able Management System) games management program. SAMS automatically placed athletes into appropriate heats and places based on gender, age and classification and tracked national records, cross-referenced implement sizes and many other functions that streamlined games management. In addition, Charlie donated computer equipment to the committee and was always eager and willing to utilize his talents to help.
Charlie was a master level official with USA Track & Field and officiated numerous Junior Nationals, Desert Challenges and international competitions. In 1996, Charlie was a volunteer official for the X Paralympic Games in Atlanta. In 2000, Charlie was honored as the Outstanding Volunteer for the City of San Jose, California.
He continued to be an active volunteer for the Office of Therapeutic Services adapted sports programming in San Jose and also was active with the Knights of Columbus fundraising for disability programs.
Charlie served on the Athletics Committee for athletes with disabilities and advocated for the integration of athletes with disabilities into community-wide track meets. Charlie Sheppard impacted Wheelchair Sports USA, especially the Junior Committee, in innumerable ways and his impact will endure.