Harold Charles “Charlie” Ryder
Achievements
Adaptive Sports Hall of FameCharlie Ryder was a school principal by vocation and a wheelchair sports coach and administrator by avocation and devotion. He was an elementary and middle school principal at several schools in the West Shore School District during an exemplary educational administrator career.
Charlie was involved in the organization and management of the very first National Wheelchair Games, held in 1957 at Adelphi College in Garden City, New York. He and Ben Lipton worked closely to ensure that this inaugural competition had the solid foundation necessary to become a successful annual event. Charlie was also the driving force in the founding and administration of the Appalachian Wheelchair Games held in Pennsylvania.
In addition to being a sports administrator, Charlie was a coach to numerous Paralympic athletes, including those competing in the 1960 Paralympic Games in Rome, Italy, and the 1964 Paralympic competition in Tokyo, Japan. He traveled the world during the 1950s and 1960s, coaching athletes at numerous international events. Many athletes benefited from Charlie’s counsel and guidance during this time.
Charlie was also a member of the National Wheelchair Athletic Committee and later served on the Board of Directors of the National Wheelchair Athletic Association when that organization evolved from the committee. His administrative experience and insight were vital to the growth and development of the organization in its infancy—and Charlie always willingly gave both to the NWAA.