The Millikin University women's basketball program and mobility challenged individuals teamed up on Oct. 14 to fish and enjoy the outdoors at Woods Lake, located at Lake Shelbyville in Shelby County, Ill.
A handicapped-accessible fishing dock was installed this past year at Woods Lake, located five miles southwest of Sullivan, Ill. The Millikin University women's basketball team invited family and friends of the program, who are challenged by mobility, to join the Big Blue women's basketball team to fish and enjoy the fall weather together with no barriers or boundaries.
The event began with a phone call from HSHS St. Mary's athletic trainer Bob Hill to Millikin women's basketball coach Lori Kerans. Hill is the president of Central Illinois Sportsmen for Outdoor Accessibility.
"Bob called me and asked if I knew anyone who might be interested in a fishing project," said Kerans. "I told him the best fisherman I knew was my dad, Bob Kerans."
After the team decided to go fishing, they invited several mobility challenged, disabled and handicapped individuals to go with them. They split into teams with the players and had a fishing contest. After, they gathered for hot dogs and s'mores.
Among those fishing was Mike Somers and his daughter Cassie, a sophomore sports management emphasis major on the Millikin team.
Click here to read more about the event in an article from the Herald & Review.
