HISTORY OF ADAPTED ATHLETICS
 
For many years, students with disabilities were not allowed to participate in athletic.  In 1969, students at Marshall-University High School in Minneapolis fought for the right to participate in interscholastic sports.  One of those students, Jim Christy, who eventually became one of the great coaches in Minneapolis, and his physical educations teacher, Ed Prohofsky, who eventually becames the Minneapolis District Athletic Director, fought for this right.

Unfortunately, adapted athletics did not take place until after Christy graduated.  In 1971, the first set of rules were drawn up for Adapted Floor Hockey, the first adapted sport. 

The first season for Adapted Softball was 1981-1982 school year.

In 1988, The Minnesota Special Interscholastic Sports Association was established. It was formed to organize adapted sports for students with mental handicaps. The board members consisted of: Ed Prohofsky; Clyde Riddel; Lloyd Olson; Daryl Miller; Kris Swanson-Scones; Marie Moilanen; Ed Scinto and George Hansen. These people were also part of the MAAA Board. Also part of the MSISA Board were Russ Bakko; Rich Burke and the head of the Minnesota Special Olympics.

When it was realized the two boards were duplicating too much time and effort, the MSISA was assimilated into the MAAA. Rules and teams were organized for the MH division of Adapted Athletics.

First season of competition for MH (now CI) students was in 1990.

Ed Prohofsky over many years had attempted approval of Adapted Athletics by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). The activity rules formats, schedules, and eligibility rules were all established in a parallel manner in an attempt make any transition easy.

Finally, in 1992, Cathy Peterson (Minneapolis South) was able to bring the question of accepting Adapted Athletics into the MSHSL by a vote of their Delegate Assembly. After an emotional presentation by the MAAA and a Delegate who talked about his daughter, there was an unanimous vote for approval.

***Thanks to the Minnesota Adapted Athletic Association for the above information.