Shawn Meredith
2013
Shawn Meredith was a trailblazer in every sense of the word — an elite athlete, coach, researcher, advocate, and mentor whose impact on wheelchair sports over the past thirty years remains immeasurable.
In 1984, Shawn’s life changed forever after a construction accident left him with a C-7 spinal cord injury. Following rehabilitation in Virginia, he discovered wheelchair sports — and from that moment, he channeled his competitive drive and determination into becoming one of the most versatile and dominant adaptive athletes of his generation.
Shawn quickly rose through the regional and national ranks, becoming a force in track and field in the T52 classification, where he held multiple national and world records across distances from the 200 meters to the 5000 meters. His extraordinary performances earned him numerous honors, including being named Outstanding Male Athlete by Wheelchair Athletics USA (1994), Wheelchair Track & Field USA Male Athlete of the Year (1996), and Wheelchair Sports USA Male Athlete of the Year (1997).
Between 1987 and 1995, Shawn competed in every National Wheelchair Games, amassing 25 gold, 12 silver, and 2 bronze medals — a testament to his unparalleled consistency and dominance. He had a remarkable habit of breaking his own national records at nearly every event he entered.
On the international stage, Shawn proudly represented Team USA at the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona, where he won gold medals in the 200 meters, 4×100, and 4×400 meter relays, setting world records in the 400 meters, 4×100, and 4×400 relays, as well as a Paralympic Record in the 200 meters. His success continued at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, where he earned gold in the 400 and 800 meters and silver in the 200 meters, setting yet another Paralympic Record in the 400 meters.
Beyond the Paralympics, Shawn continued to shine — including a dominant showing at the 1995 Metro Toronto Wheelchair Challenge, where he won the 400 and 1500 meters while setting world records in the 200 and 400 meters.
After retiring from competition, Shawn turned his attention to coaching, research, and advocacy, continuing to elevate the sport and inspire future generations. He coached at junior sports camps at the University of Illinois, served as a guest coach at U.S. Paralympic Development Camps in Chula Vista, and conducted academic research and presentations nationwide on adaptive athletics.
A tireless competitor, Shawn also participated in more than 50 road races ranging from 5Ks to marathons and was a founding member of the Fighting Illini Quad Rugby Team. After relocating to Texas, he became assistant coach for the Texas Stampede Quad Rugby Team, where his leadership and mentorship continued to shape athletes’ lives.
His former coach, Marty Morse of the University of Illinois, perhaps summed up Shawn best:
“As his coach, you could not ask for a finer person than Shawn Meredith. His assistance in securing funding for our athletic teams showed his unselfish love for sport, his teammates, and his university.”
Through his athletic excellence, pioneering spirit, and selfless service, Shawn Meredith left an enduring legacy as one of the most respected and inspiring figures in adaptive sports history.