Harold Charles Ryder
Contributor | 1974
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Charlie 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 a solid foundation necessary to be a successful annual event. Charlie also was 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 50’s and 60’s coaching athletes at numerous international events. Many athletes benefited from Charlie’s counsel and guidance during this time.
Charlie also was a member of the National Wheelchair Athletic Committee and then served on the Board of Directors of the National Wheelchair Athletic Association when that organization evolved from the committee. His administrative experience and insight was vital to the growth and development of the organization in it’s infancy and Charlie always willingly gave of both to the NWAA.
