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Louis Zamperini (athletics, 1936) was honored at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame earlier this month. Pictured are: The Midwest Chapter's Linda Mastandrea (athletics, 1992, 1996) and Diane Simpson-Bundy (gymnastics, 1988), WSC President Bill Scherr (wrestling, 1988), Four-time Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist John Naber (swimming, 1976) and Zamperini, the star of the best-selling book "Unbroken."
Patrick Byrne (sled hockey, 2002) led a sled hockey clinic and spoke to youth about his Paralympic experience in Hoffman Estates on April 10. Byrne also participated in "Bike the Drive" on May 29, leading the "pit crew" to fit athletes to cycles, and will appear for Paralympic Cycling Day on June 25.
Olympic legends Nadia Comaneci (gymnastics, 1976, 1980) and Carl Lewis (athletics, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996), along with other U.S. Olympians, visited London to celebrate the London 2012 countdown and the 6.6 million available tickets for the Games.
Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng is one of the NBA players who could play for Team Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Shani Davis (speedskating, 2006, 2010), and 2010 Olympians Trevor Marsicano and Urbana, Ill.-native Jonathan Kuck, took the team pursuit title for the first time for the United States at the 2011 World Championships in Inzell, Germany, with a time of 3 minutes, 41.72 seconds. It was the first time a team other than the Netherlands claimed the event since its debut at the 2005 worlds. The victory capped a record-breaking meet for Davis, who won an unprecedented third 1000 meters World Championship, along with silver in the 1500 meters. Davis finished the season as the overall 2010-2011 1500 meters World Cup champion and U.S. Sprint and Allround champion.
Two-time Paralympic Bronze Medalist and 2011 World Champion Anjali Forber-Pratt (athletics, 2008) set a world record in winning the 200 meters in 29.16 at the 2011 Swiss Nationals. She also claimed the T-53 400 meters at the U.S. National Championships this past weekend.
Kenny Johnson (boccia, 1992, 1996) has been busy coaching his sport at Neil Elementary and Christopher School but plans a comeback at the 2011 National Championships in Elmhurst, Ill.
Olympic Gold Medalists Michael Jordan (basketball, 1984, 1992) and Scottie Pippen (basketball, 1992, 1996) joined other former Chicago Bulls and coaches from the 1990-1991 season in a recognition ceremony during halftime held March 12 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their first NBA title.
Patrick Kane (hockey, 2010) and Olympian teammates including Canadian Jonathan Toews were honored with other Chicago Blackhawks at the White House in March. http://blackhawks.nhl.com and check out the video.
Frank Klopas (soccer, 1988), Chicago Fire technical director, has been named interim head coach. Klopas was born in Greece and played soccer at Mather High School before playing for the Chicago Sting and the Fire, which went on to win the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup. He also played in the 1994 FIFA World Cup as a member of the U.S. National Team.
Paralympian Curtis Lease (sitting volleyball, 2000, 2004) has been chosen as part of the BMW Olympic affiliate sponsorship and will appear at Bill Jacobs BMW on June 24.
 Olympic champion Evan Lysacek (figure skating, 2006, 2010) of Naperville, Ill., won the 2010 James E. Sullivan Award, becoming the fourth figure skater to be honored as the top amateur athlete in the United States. Lysacek also won the USOC Sportsman of the Year award earlier this year after winning gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. He is the first Olympian since gymnast Shawn Johnson in 2009 to win the Sullivan Award, presented by the Amateur Athletic Union, and the first skater since Olympian Sarah Hughes in 2002. Hughes presented the award to Lysacek on March 14 at the New York Athletic Club. Watch the video.
Photo from www.aausulllivan.org.
Christina Loukas (diving, 2008) isn't the only Loukas getting press these days. Check out the Chicago Sun-Times article on her father, George, titled: "'Rooftop Baron' George Loukas Achieves An Immigrant's Dream."
Midwest Chapter Secretary Linda Mastandrea (athletics, 1992, 1996) attended training in London as a potential candidate to serve as a color commentator at the 2012 Paralympic Games. Good luck Linda!
Paralympian Tatyana McFadden (athletics, 2008) bested Amanda McGrory (athletics, 2008) in the T-54 wheelchair division of the 400 meters at the U.S. National Championships.
Connie Moore (athletics, 2004) won the Life Champion Award at the annual Field of Dreams gala to benefit Girls in the Game on March 3. Moore boasts 11 All-America titles, eight Big Ten titles and is the reigning 200 meters national champion following last September's 2010 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Paul Moran (sitting volleyball, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004; wheelchair tennis, 2008) came back from a 4-1 deficit in the third set and fought off match points to win a third-set tie-breaker at the Davis Cup. The victory sparked the U.S. men back into the World Group 1 position for wheelchair tennis. Meanwhile, Moran is also busy starring in a film. Three Medill School of Journalism students at Northwestern University have completed a documentary on Moran's tennis life titled: "Break Point," which is available at vimeo.com.
London 2012 Olympic hopeful Derrick Rose earned this year's title as NBA MVP en route to helping Chicago to the best record in the regular season before the Bulls bowed out to Olympic basketball medalists LeBron James (2004, 2008), Chris Bosh (2008) and Chicago's Dwyane Wade (2004, 2008) of the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinal.
Iraq War veteran and Paralympian Melissa Stockwell (swimming, 2008) founded dare2tri-the only triathlon program in the country that includes only members with disabilities-along with GLASA's Keri Schindler and Dan Tun of the Chicago Park District. www.dare2trichicago.com She also graced May's cover of USA Triathlon.
Congrats to five-time Paralympic Gold Medalist Jason Wening (swimming, 1992, 1996, 2000), who welcomed Ryan Douglas Wening into the world at 8 pounds, 5 ounces, on June 1.
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Thanks to U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association Vice President Carol Brown (rowing, 1976, 1980, 1984) for her visit to Belding Elementary School in Chicago on May 12 to promote World Fit.
