LOS ANGELES, CA - A standout Red Dragon reached national recognition this week, with recent SUNY Oneonta graduate Graham Wooden (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) winning the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award. The award is part of ESPN's Sports Humanitarian Awards, sponsored by PENN Entertainment. Wooden was one of twenty regional recipients who took the honor for tackling social issues and providing sustainable solutions through the power of sport.
"Congratulation to Graham on such a fitting way to finish out a phenomenal collegiate career," said Oneonta athletics director Ryan Hooper. "Graham made an impact on our department from the first day he stepped on campus. Whether it's basketball, his academics, or the work he does for the community, he truly takes on everything he does with passion and energy. He embodies what it means to be a Red Dragon and we couldn't be prouder of this recognition. I can't wait to see what's next for this talented young man."
Well-known in the Oneonta community, Wooden is an exercise science major and was a captain of the Red Dragons men's basketball team. He owns and runs his own personal training company, Wooden Health & Performance, which works with local high school athletes to develop physical and mental skills to compete at a high level.
Wooden volunteered by running various basketball camps at Oneonta High School, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Special Olympics to develop local basketball skills and provide this opportunity to athletes who usually would not have the chance to do so. He also organized service days in cooperation with the men's basketball team to provide care and support for families in need, raise money for charity, or work to create a safe community environment.
"The Sport and Exercise Science department values service to the community, and Graham's role in helping us live out that value is unmatched," said Professor of Sport and Exercise Science Katherine Griffes. "He serves as a great model for students who want to give back and demonstrates the positive personal benefits of such important service. Witnessing the joy that Graham exudes when working with adapted athletes and the time and dedication he gives to creating positive inclusive spaces shows how important this work is to him. It has been so inspiring to me as his professor and advisor."
Wooden was integral in designing activities for an adapted basketball clinic, a collaboration between SUNY Oneonta and EDD Adaptive Sports. Wooden was one student who received a Student Research and Creative Activity (SRCA) grant funded by the SUNY Oneonta Foundation. Through this fund, Graham will work with EDD Adaptive Sport to develop a virtual volunteer training program for people interested in serving as volunteers for adapted sports events.
"We are thrilled that Graham has been recognized with the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award," said EDD Adaptive Sports executive director Gretchen Owens. "His dedication to adaptive sports and drive to improve the community sets him apart. This award shines a light on the value of adaptive sports in our community. Many people still don't know what is possible with adaptive sports. The publicity and outreach connected to Graham's award are just as valuable as the cash grant from ESPN, which will be designated to EDD Adaptive Sports in honor of Graham."
This training curriculum will ensure that volunteers are properly educated on how to best connect with adapted athletes, providing a safe and positive environment for adapted athletes to participate in sports.
"Winning this award is fulfilling because EDD Adaptive Sports has received a $2,500 donation to provide more opportunities for adults and children with disabilities," said Wooden. "This award is for them. My eventual goal is to open a multi-sport facility in Oneonta for athletes who want to elevate their game. It's a lofty goal, but I believe it's feasible."
The work does not end there. Wooden was part of designing the first Little Red Dragons Program, working with peers to teach physical activity workshops to children at the Boys and Girls Club. Taking what he has learned from other sports programs, Graham developed his youth basketball camp, Hoopminds, for kids in the community who may be unable to afford traditional sports camps or development programs.
Throughout the past year, Wooden has won numerous awards, such as the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, the Carol Henning Donovan Memorial Scholarship for community service, the Exercise Science Department Academic Achievement Award, and the Oneonta Athletics Male Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Despite all this, Wooden remains humble and does not seek recognition for his work. He is not looking for praise but acts out of the goodness of his heart to help others and the community.
"I can't think of anyone more deserving of the ESPN Sports Humanitarian: Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award," finished Griffes. "Being an elite scholar athlete, as well as a pillar of our community, deserves recognition. Highlighting his achievements is something that Graham would not seek out on his own, but recognizing and valuing all the great work Graham has done and is continuing to do will hopefully inspire other students to follow in his footsteps. His commitment to supporting EDD Adaptive Sports has impacted many athletes in our community. It takes a special person to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of others. Graham has consistently shown that he is special and is everything a winner of this leadership award should be."
The Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award national honorees will receive a $10,000 grant, while regional recipients will each receive a $2,500 grant. The charitable grants can either be awarded as a college academic scholarship or be directed to an eligible non-profit associated with the honoree.
About the Billie Jean King Foundation
Founded by sports champions and social activists Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss, the Billie Jean King Foundation builds on Billie Jean's lifelong quest to provide opportunities across sports, education, and overall supporting the next generation of game-changing leaders.
About EDD Adaptive Sports
EDD Adaptive Sports offers adaptive sports programs throughout the year to children and adults with any disability. Our free basketball, biking, kayaking, soccer, pickleball, rowing, and yoga are available in Central New York and Vermont. Our programs are appropriate for school-age children and older. No one ages out of the program. We partner with local colleges and community members to lead our skill clinics, as well as with Otsego Area Rowing in Cooperstown, NY, the Adaptive Sports Foundation in Windham, NY, to offer alpine race training and downhill skiing instruction, with Athelas Therapeutic Riding in Otego, NY to provide horseback riding lessons and with Northeast Disabled Athletic Association to offer adaptive kayaking.
"At EDD programs, student volunteers have the opportunity to learn how to adapt activities to the unique needs of our participants," said Owens. "Over time, student volunteers develop confidence and competence. They also experience first-hand the value of adaptive sports. One of the contributions that Graham and his colleague Sarah Faulisi have made to EDD Adaptive Sports is developing new volunteer training materials, helping to improve our volunteer development pipeline."
About the Student Research and Creative Activity (SRCA)
Funded by the SUNY Oneonta Foundation, Inc. and the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association through charitable gifts and grants to SUNY Oneonta; administered by the University Senate Committee on Research and the Faculty Center (Scholarly Activities).
