Oct. 25, 2011

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Shawn Kornoelje, Oakland's men's and women's associate head swim coach, will be honored by the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame with its 2011 Rick Knas Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented at the Hall of Fame's annual induction ceremony on November 3, 2011 at the Troy Marriott in Troy, MI at 6 p.m.

"I am so honored and humbled to be receiving this award from the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame," said Kornoelje. "I would also like to thank all the athletes I've had the privilege of coaching over the years for teaching me the true meaning of hard work, perseverance and determination. I am truly grateful to have shared in their success."

The award acknowledges the exceptional success, sportsmanship and community service of one outstanding individual.

Kornoelje's career spans more than 23 years of coaching national champions, Paralympic medalists, Olympic medalists, and conducting clinics on adaptive swimming for coaches and athletes with disabilities.

Kornoelje was first introduced to the Paralympics in 1998, when he began training Jason Wening, a bilateral amputee, who won several gold medals and broke multiple world records. However, Kornoelje is probably best known for coaching his wife, Cheryl Angelelli, a 4-time Paralympic medalist. Under Kornoelje's direction, Angelelli has set 15 American Records and 3 World Records.

Kornoelje was a key member of the U.S. Paralympics coaching staff from 1998-2004, assisting in the training and preparation for team camps going into the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games, the 2002 World Championships in Argentina and the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, where he served as the head coach of the men's swim team.

Among his many honors, Kornoelje was the recipient of the 2010 James Raymond "Jimi" Flowers Disability Swimming Coach of the Year Award from USA Swimming. He also received the Order of Ikkos Medallion presented by the US Olympic Committee for his contributions as coach of an Olympic/Paralympic medalist in 2008.

Established in 1999, the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, recognizes men and women who overcome physical challenges to become elite athletes and superior role models. Nearly 100 individuals who share a passion for life and a dedication to inspire others through their words, actions and giving back to the greater community, have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. For more information on the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, visit www.adnpage.org.

-OAKLAND-