Fishers, Indiana grad part of inaugural UC adaptive athletics team

University of Cincinnati adaptive athletics student athlete Seth Miller and program director Jacob Counts spoke with Indianapolis news station WTHR about Miller's journey and the launch of the new program.

Miller, from Indianapolis suburb Fishers, Indiana, played hockey his whole life before a rock climbing accident and spinal cord injury during his junior year of high school set him on a different trajectory.

After he recovered from surgery, Miller began playing for the Indy Steel competitive sled hockey team, but he did not envision being a student athlete when he enrolled in UC Blue Ash College’s Pre-Engineering program.

After he heard about a new adaptive sports program at the University of Cincinnati, it was an easy decision for Miller to join. He is competing as a Bearcat adaptive track and field athlete, with plans to also begin practicing with the Cincinnati Icebreakers sled hockey team in the near future.

"There are so many different opportunities that you get playing in adaptive sports to meet people," Miller told WTHR. "I think it's just a mindset of getting things done. I think it's a great opportunity. Not a lot of schools have it."

"Seth is exactly the kind of athlete you want," Counts said. "You want people that are going to approach you with a good attitude, make the most of it, and put their hard hat on and come to work every day."

Currently offering adaptive track and field and adaptive tennis, Counts said he hopes to continue to expand the program and attract more student athletes.

"Off to a good start, but hoping to grow and expand that program," Counts said. "Adaptive sports is really a growing space, so for UC to be at the forefront of that and helping to lead the charge and getting disabled athletes opportunities to be collegiate student athletes as well, I think that's huge for the university and for the community."

Watch or read the WTHR story.

Read more about UC Adaptive Athletics.

Featured photo at top: Left to right: UC student-athletes Jaime Mazzi and Logan Cover, UC Adaptive Athletics Coach Jacob Counts and student-athlete Seth Miller. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand.