MEET OUR TEAM
Coaches who know adaptive sport.
Our coaches and staff bring years of experience in Paralympic sport, therapy and coaching, and they help every athlete chase their own goals.
Founded in Spokane in 2013 · 200+ athletes served · 10 adaptive sports
OUR FEARLESS LEADER
Teresa Skinner, founder and executive director
ParaSport Spokane was Teresa’s idea when a clear need for a sport program arose in Spokane in 2013. She brings more than 20 years of coaching and administration experience with athletes with physical disabilities. As a National Team Coach for the US Paralympic Track and Field Team, she leads development clinics that help people with disabilities discover their potential as athletes. In 2023, The Spokesman-Review named her one of its Women of the Year.
Licensed occupational therapist (OTR/L)
National Team Coach for the US Paralympic Track and Field Team
Lead coach for track and field and wheelchair racing
Spokesman-Review 2023 Women of the Year honoree
OUR COACHES
Meet the team behind ParaSport Spokane
Our coaches include physical therapists, a medical student and longtime Paralympic sport professionals.
David Greig
Track and field head coach
A certified track and field coach, David has coached Para athletes since 1999 and leads our sled hockey team.
Shirley Carlson
Physical therapist and coach
A physical therapist who coaches prep wheelchair basketball, ambulatory running, and strength and conditioning.
Michael Stralser
Basketball head coach
Leads our adult wheelchair basketball team and helps coach throws. He is pursuing a medical doctorate at WSU.
Payton Walling
Parafencing lead coach
Leads our parafencing program, helps coach wheelchair racing and supports our Futures program.
Karen Schmit
Teams manager
As teams manager, Karen keeps our teams organized and supports our Futures program.
Luke Damskov
Sled hockey assistant coach
An assistant coach who helps our sled hockey athletes on the ice.
Dawn Fitzgerald
Strength and conditioning
A doctor of physical therapy (DPT) who coaches strength and conditioning for our athletes.
COACHES BY SPORT
Who coaches what
We coach 10 adaptive sports. Roy Perkins leads swimming with Nancy Starr, Payton Walling leads parafencing, and Shirley Carlson, Yunus Butt, Paul Werhane and Dawn Fitzgerald coach strength and conditioning.
Wheelchair basketball
Michael Stralser leads the adult team. Chelsea McClammer coaches the women’s team, and Shirley Carlson helps with prep.
Track and field
Teresa Skinner leads wheelchair racing and David Greig is head coach, with Shirley Carlson, Yunus Butt, Michael Stralser and Payton Walling.
Sled hockey
David Greig is lead coach and Sean Halsted co-coaches, with Yunus Butt, Mike Zuchetto and Luke Damskov as assistant coaches.
VOLUNTEER WITH US
Want to help coach?
ParaSport Spokane is athlete centered. Our volunteers include occupational and physical therapists, social workers, teachers, welders and students. We are always looking for certified coaches in basketball and track and field.
No experience? We will train you to help with:
01
Wheelchair basketball
02
Track and field
03
Guide running for athletes with visual impairments
04
Events and fundraising
JOIN THE RED HERD
Train with coaches who believe in you.
Whether you want to try a sport for the first time or chase a spot on Team USA, our coaches will meet you where you are. Your support keeps them on the court, the track and the ice.
P.S. Questions about getting started? Contact us and we will be glad to help.