About
WE PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH ALLOWS
PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO BUILD
SELF-ESTEEM, CONFIDENCE, AND FRIENDSHIPS
THROUGH SPORTS BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES
TO SOCIALIZE, COMPETE, AND EXERCISE
BOTH THEIR MOTOR AND LIFE SKILLS.
Our Mission
The mission of Hi-5 Sports is to provide sport training, competition, and social events for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. Hi-5 Sports is an organization that gives those with special needs the opportunity to learn the positive values of recreational athletics. With an encouraging attitude, Hi-5 Sports focuses on the education of the social, emotional and mental health of its participants. In a variety of organized athletic events, individuals with special needs, as well as their parents and/or guardians, are able to experience the thrill of competition and learn the value of teamwork. With the help of primarily student volunteers from the community, children and young adults from all walks of life are able to socialize and compete with one another in a controlled and positive environment.
Coaching Philosophy
The team at Hi-5 Sports is committed to making each athletes’ experience positive and will make appropriate accommodations to suit the needs of the individual athlete. The lessons sports teach know no barriers.
We are committed to the principles of the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA: www.positivecoach.org). PCA refers to a positive coach as a Double-Goal coach. In addition to the basic goal of any coach to improve the athlete’s performance, the Double-Goal coach has a second goal that is even more important – to use the sports experience to help young people learn “life lessons” and positive character traits that will help them be successful throughout their lives.
We help our athletes to maximizes their effort, to continue to learn and improve, and manage “mistakes” and not let them (or the fear of them) hold the athlete back. We create an environment that encourages individual and team goals. We promote honoring the game through a commitment to fair play and respect for each athletes.
Meet The Team
Jodi Eaves
President & Daily Operations Director
As the Daily Operations Director, Jodi communicates, organizes and manages the daily tasks of Hi-5 Sports. She is the contact person for the Hi-5 Sports emails and the social media accounts. Along with these responsibilities, Jodi co-chairs the Hi-5 Sports Bowling Fundraiser in May and will continue to support any future fundraising opportunities. Jodi is a Hi-5 Sports Mom to athlete Paul, Mom to fur-kid/cat Hazel, and a computer-aided draftsperson for ABB, Inc. Jodi is an avid NFL football watcher – Teams Eagles & Lions.
Chris Eaves
Treasurer & Board of Directors Member
Chris is Hi-5 Sports’ Treasurer as well as a Board of Directors member. He co-chairs the Hi-5 Sports Bowling Fundraiser in May. Chris also makes sure we have the equipment we need for the various sports we offer. He is married to Jodi and a Hi-5 Sports Dad to athlete Paul. His day job is a Senior Field Application Engineer for ABB, Inc. Chris is a life-long Philadelphia Phillies fan.
Christine Rounds
Board of Directors Member
<Christine’s Bio>
Lou Walsh
Sports Director & Coach
Coach Lou is the Director of Golf; and also coaches baseball and basketball. Coach Lou is currently employed at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Inc. as their Assistant Director of Licensing and Contracting. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in Psychology from Siena College. He recently received his MBA in Business Analytics at Siena College as well. Coach Lou resides in Ballston Spa, is a scratch golfer and enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends.
Bill Widrig
Coach
Coach Bill is the father of Hi-5 Sports athlete Jack and coaches basketball and baseball. He was a High School All Star in both sports and played collegiately at Jefferson Community College. He holds an Associates degree in Forestry from SUNY Morrisville and a Bachelor’s degree in Paper Science and Engineering from SUNY ESF. He is a retired Product Development Engineer from Hollingsworth & Vose Company in Easton, NY. He is a rock climber and mountaineer and spends his summers at his home in the Adirondacks. Winter months will find him volunteering his time as a citizen scientist with the Nature Conservancy searching for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, an invasive forest insect that is threatening Hemlock forests in the Adirondacks.
Tim Murdick
Coach
You will find Coach Tim out on the baseball fields in the spring. Coach Tim is married and lives in West Sand Lake. He is a huge sports fan. And he is employed by the Department of Defense. Currently Coach Tim serves as Executive Director of “Nopiates,” a local organization dedicated to bringing education and advocacy in the battle against heroine and opioid addiction.
Glenn Macaluso
Coach
Coach Glenn Resides in Clifton park and coaches Soccer, Basketball and Baseball. He is currently retired from NYS. Most days he can be found spending time with his granddaughter or in his recliner binge watching Netflix.
Joe Colla
Coach
<Joe’s Bio>
Kristin Abate
Coach
Coach Kristin helps out with Golf, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, and Bowling. She has been working at Bank of America for the past 12 years. When she’s not at Hi-5 Sports, she is volunteering at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York or watching her daughter, Mariana, play softball.
Morgan Rounds
Volunteer Coordinator
Morgan is Hi-5 Sports’ Volunteer Coordinator. She is currently finishing her final year of grad school at The College of St. Rose. She will be receiving a Bachelor’s degree in social studies, adolescent education, and a Master’s degree in special education (grades 7-12) in Spring 2023! When not at Hi-5 Sports, Morgan can usually be found playing with her dogs, Wilson & Auggie. Morgan works one-to-one with individuals with disabilities part-time during the school year.
Pat Wright
Secretary
<Pat’s Bio>