Print
RSS 
Sign up for E-newsCheryl Angelelli-Kornoelje Honored at March 16th Game as part of Michigan Heroes Program
2004 NBA Champs Recognize Local, Two-Time Medal-Winning Paralympian Swimmer
Related Images
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - March 14, 2005 - The 2004 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons will honor another local champion, two-time Paralympics medal winner Cheryl Angelelli-Kornoelje, before their game against the Seattle Supersonics on Wednesday March 16. The ceremony will mark the sixth time the Pistons have honored a local hero as part of the Michigan Heroes program this season.
An incomplete quadriplegic, meaning she has only minimal use of her arms and hands and no use of her legs, Angelelli-Kornoelje earned bronze medals in both the 200-meter freestyle and the 4x50-meter freestyle relay team at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, Greece. She is currently ranked second in the world in the 200-meter freestyle and is a two-time American record holder (100-meter breaststroke and 4X50 medley relay).
A native of Fraser, Angelelli-Kornoelje, who competed in the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, became an incomplete quadriplegic at the age of 14 when she suffered a neck injury in a diving accident. Today, Angelelli-Kornoelje is on a mission to spread the word about the Paralympics.
“More people in this country need to know about the Paralympics,” said Angelelli-Kornoelje. “When I was in Athens, everyone kept asking why the United States didn’t have TV crews covering our events. The Greek press had a field day about the subject.”
The Paralympics are broadcasted all over the world, except within the USA. Attempting to raise awareness for paralympians and the sports they play, Angelelli-Kornoelje has become the subject of a documentary being produced locally by Burke Video.
“I was covering the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta as a freelance journalist, when I first found out about the Paralympics,” Angelelli-Kornoelje said. “I was so excited – for the first time, I saw this whole world of sports that existed for people with disabilities. Right then, I turned to my friend and said, ‘When the next Paralympics come along, I’m going to be competing.’ At the time, I didn’t realize what a lofty goal that was.”
Angelelli-Kornoelje is a member of the Michigan Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame and a two-time winner of the Hall of Fame’s Disabled Female Athlete of the Year (2000 and 2003). She has been a member of the U.S. National Disabled Swim Team since 1998. In 1991, Angelelli-Kornoelje was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan and went on to win the title of First Runner-Up Ms. Wheelchair America.
The Pistons Honor Michigan Heroes program is a season-long initiative that encourages fans to nominate a person or group from their local community who has gone above and beyond the call of duty and recognize their accomplishments at a Pistons home game during the 2004-05 season.
To nominate a hero, who can come from any walk of life, fans only need to complete an on-line nomination form by clicking here, or send name(s), address, phone number and name of school or organization to:
“Pistons Honor Michigan Heroes”
The Palace of Auburn Hills
Four Championship Drive
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Only one entry per person per email address per household will be accepted. Please click here for a complete list of rules/regulations and additional information.
For more information on the Pistons Honor Michigan Heroes program or to purchase tickets for any upcoming home game, please contact The Palace at (248) 377-0100 or visit www.pistons.com.
An incomplete quadriplegic, meaning she has only minimal use of her arms and hands and no use of her legs, Angelelli-Kornoelje earned bronze medals in both the 200-meter freestyle and the 4x50-meter freestyle relay team at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, Greece. She is currently ranked second in the world in the 200-meter freestyle and is a two-time American record holder (100-meter breaststroke and 4X50 medley relay).
A native of Fraser, Angelelli-Kornoelje, who competed in the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, became an incomplete quadriplegic at the age of 14 when she suffered a neck injury in a diving accident. Today, Angelelli-Kornoelje is on a mission to spread the word about the Paralympics.
“More people in this country need to know about the Paralympics,” said Angelelli-Kornoelje. “When I was in Athens, everyone kept asking why the United States didn’t have TV crews covering our events. The Greek press had a field day about the subject.”
The Paralympics are broadcasted all over the world, except within the USA. Attempting to raise awareness for paralympians and the sports they play, Angelelli-Kornoelje has become the subject of a documentary being produced locally by Burke Video.
“I was covering the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta as a freelance journalist, when I first found out about the Paralympics,” Angelelli-Kornoelje said. “I was so excited – for the first time, I saw this whole world of sports that existed for people with disabilities. Right then, I turned to my friend and said, ‘When the next Paralympics come along, I’m going to be competing.’ At the time, I didn’t realize what a lofty goal that was.”
Angelelli-Kornoelje is a member of the Michigan Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame and a two-time winner of the Hall of Fame’s Disabled Female Athlete of the Year (2000 and 2003). She has been a member of the U.S. National Disabled Swim Team since 1998. In 1991, Angelelli-Kornoelje was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan and went on to win the title of First Runner-Up Ms. Wheelchair America.
The Pistons Honor Michigan Heroes program is a season-long initiative that encourages fans to nominate a person or group from their local community who has gone above and beyond the call of duty and recognize their accomplishments at a Pistons home game during the 2004-05 season.
To nominate a hero, who can come from any walk of life, fans only need to complete an on-line nomination form by clicking here, or send name(s), address, phone number and name of school or organization to:
The Palace of Auburn Hills
Four Championship Drive
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Only one entry per person per email address per household will be accepted. Please click here for a complete list of rules/regulations and additional information.
For more information on the Pistons Honor Michigan Heroes program or to purchase tickets for any upcoming home game, please contact The Palace at (248) 377-0100 or visit www.pistons.com.
