The Paralympic Games, modeled after the Olympic games, highlight the athleticism of those with physical disabilities. Ball State professor Lawrence Judge is coaching two Paralympians for this year's games in London.
Judge has been coaching 18 years prior to his seven years at Ball State and has been training and preparing two athletes for the 2012 Paralympic Games. Judge has also been teaching physical education courses at the university and an online master's program for coaching education.
"I got an opportunity to work with some of the athletes at a training camp and really fell in love with the movement and the athletes that were involved with it," Judge said.
The two athletes are 25-year-old Jeremy Campbell from Central Oklahoma University and 50-year-old Scott Danburg from Cooper City, Fla.
Campbell, who was born without a right fibula, or calf bone, holds the world record for the F44 discus toss.
Danburg won a bronze medal in the discus throw at the 2011 International Paralympic Committee World Championships in New Zealand.
Judge said training for the event is no different than training an "able-bodied athlete."
"We were putting in about five to six hours a day of training and weight lifting," Judge said. "Pretty intense regiments."
Judge lives and works in Muncie while the two athletes he trains live in two separate states, so he relies heavily on technology to help him coach from a distance.
Judge said he writes out a daily routine for both Campbell and Danburg and uses Skype to communicate with them, but also makes at least one visit per month to physically coach them.
"The positive part of it is when you see the athletes, the level of intensity and concentration is really high and we certainly get a lot done when we do see each other," Judge said.
Judge said the experience of working with these athletes has changed his outlook on life.
"We all have a tendency to whine and complain sometimes, but these people are looking at the highest viewpoint possible, which makes you that much more positive," Judge said.
The two athletes Judge has been working with are both highly capable of bringing home medals, which Judge said has been the most rewarding part of coaching them.
"It's really made me appreciate a little bit more," Judge said. "Just the opportunity that I have being able to travel to London and coach athletes that are in condition to win medals is truly a blessing."
Aside from coaching two world ranked athletes, Judge said making a difference in their lives is the most important aspect.
"That's what fuels my passion," Judge said. "If I feel like I can make a difference by helping them achieve their goals and get them on the podium for the United States, then that's really mission accomplished for me."
Judge said some of the most rewarding moments in his career were watching Campbell take a world record and Danburg winning a bronze medal.
"The relationships and bonds that I've created with the athletes are things that are always going to be there," Judge said. "Just watching the athletes set and achieve goals has brought a lot of satisfaction."
The Paralympic Games begin Aug. 29 and will last until Sept. 9 in London where Judge will also be teaching his class.
Judge said he will conduct class as usual while trying to establish a blog that will allow his students to share some of the experience he gains from London.
"The big thing I want to stress is that it's been a great privilege to be able to work with these athletes and provide direction and I am just glad I have the opportunity to represent the country and Ball State as well," Judge said.
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