Trisha Yurochko
2013
Trisha’s journey into adaptive sports began unexpectedly — as a van driver at the 1987 Junior National Wheelchair Championships at Rider University in New Jersey. What started as a simple volunteer role quickly turned into a lifelong passion and calling. Inspired by the determination and joy of the young athletes she met, Trisha soon joined the Children’s Specialized Hospital’s Children’s Lightning Wheels team as a coach under the guidance of Andy Chasanoff.
When Andy left the hospital in 1997, Trisha stepped into the role of Head Coach, carrying forward the hospital’s mission to make sports accessible to all children with physical disabilities. She not only coached athletes but also counseled families on the transformative power of sport — helping them see how being part of a team could foster confidence, independence, and joy.
Over the next three decades, Trisha became one of the most influential figures in adaptive youth sports, taking on countless roles — locally, regionally, and nationally — all centered around one goal: creating opportunities for young athletes with disabilities. She served as Meet Director for major events such as the Children’s Specialized Hospital Track and Field Invitational and the Tri-State Regional Swim Meet, and she took on leadership roles as Treasurer of the Tri-State Wheelchair and Ambulatory Sports Association and Administrator and Coach for TEAM USA Junior Travel Teams.
Her expertise and dedication extended well beyond coaching. Trisha was a National Classifier, a USATF National Level Official with Para certification, a USATF-certified coach, and a Level 1 Archery Coach. She also served on the Junior Committee for Adaptive Sports USA, where she played a key role in shaping programs and policies that expanded access to competition and training opportunities nationwide.
At Children’s Specialized Hospital, Trisha wore many hats — serving as Media Coordinator and Marketing Coordinator in addition to her coaching role — always working to raise awareness and resources for the athletes she championed. Her leadership extended to the national stage, where she served as Meet Director for three Junior Nationals (2001, 2008, and 2015) held in New Jersey. The 2008 Games were particularly special, as they also served as the International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports (IWAS) World Junior Games, showcasing athletes from around the globe.
Trisha’s impact also reached beyond the track and field. She served on the board of Stay-Focused, a nonprofit organization offering teens with disabilities the chance to experience freedom and confidence through scuba diving. Starting in 2016, she joined the New York Road Runners Wheelchair Training Program, helping New York City youth with disabilities discover the thrill of movement and sport.
Her unwavering commitment to advancing inclusive sports was recognized in 2016, when she received the Ted Kaplan Award, honoring her exceptional service to adaptive athletics.
Trisha’s legacy is one of compassion, leadership, and tireless advocacy. She didn’t just create opportunities for young athletes — she created a movement of inclusion, empowerment, and lifelong possibility.