Our Mission

We believe the future is limitless and that every body should have access to sports in pursuit of healthy lives and living out their dreams.

Overview

We are a registered not-for-profit organization that helps people with disabilities participate with their friends in indoor and outdoor athletic activities. We serve communities of greater Syracuse, Oswego, and Central New York. Our roots date back to the Syracuse Flyers wheelchair basketball team founded in 1979. Over 40 years later, our organization still hosts the Flyers basketball team along with a number of other activities. Our scheduled programs are designed by staff and volunteers to bring out the best in all who participate. As an active chapter of Move United, we are committed to best practices and innovations in our field. All are invited to join in! We have Inclusive Sports Training programs offered as a roadshow to local schools and organizations. Interested in bringing adapted sports and recreation training to your community? Search no further! Serving our Veterans is a pronounced mission of ours, as we team up with local veteran service organizations, and can offer significant assistance to veterans seeking to participate in any of our programs through the generosity of VA: Mission Re-Defined. .

Our Team

Mike Smithson

President

Mike is a Navy vet and a retired air traffic controller. After a stroke in 2013, Mike searched for relevance and found it with adaptive sports. Through physical competition, he relearned the value of reaching goals using sweat and effort.
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Erik Ryan

Erik Ryan

Vice President

Erik Ryan, born and raised around Syracuse, NY, cherishes his community roots, sports passion, and outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. Living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus since birth, Erik has embraced life’s challenges with resilience. He began sled hockey at 16, finding both challenge and community in the sport.
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Jamie Favata

Treasurer

Jamie Favata has been a big believer in giving volunteer time to his community. MoveAlong has been an important organization to his family as they provide access to disabled sports for his son Myles who is in a wheelchair.
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Casey Favata

Secretary

Casey Favata is currently studying accounting at SUNY Oswego, with an anticipated graduation date in 2027. He first became involved in his community alongside his brother, starting as an intern in March. Casey believes that his community engagement is an excellent way to give back.
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Seth Gitner

Seth Gitner

Director

Seth Gitner teaches topics as interactive storytelling, web design and web development at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse of Public Communication. He has been a member of the CNY Flyers Sled Hockey team since 2018.
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Peyton Sefick

Director

Peyton Sefick is focused on fostering local partnerships to bring adaptive recreation and low-cost equipment to communities. Aside from community outreach, Peyton is native to Syracuse, New York and an accomplished power wheelchair soccer athlete. He plays for and has captained CNY United Power Soccer for 20 years.
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Bob Prevoneau

Director

Robert "Bobby" Prenoveau, has cerebral palsy. He was an alternate on both the 2005 and 2008 World Wheelchair Championship Curling teams. The 2008 U.S. team won the bronze medal during the World Wheelchair Championship in Sursee, Switzerland.
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Eric Komar

Director

Eric Komar has been a lifelong adapted athlete. He started playing little league baseball with the Challenger Division baseball league for children with disabilities. He then found Syracuse Flyers wheelchair basketball in approximately 1999 and now plays sled hockey with the CNY Flyers. Eric is also a World Champion arm wrestler.
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Chris Abbott

Director

Chris Abbott is Deputy Commissioner of Parks for the City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs. Chris earned his Masters Degree in Exercise Science from the University of Connecticut.
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Frequently Answered Questions

Yes, able-bodied people can play disabled sports. In fact, there are many benefits to doing so. For one, it can help to break down stereotypes and misconceptions about people with disabilities. It can also help to promote inclusion and understanding. Additionally, it can be a great way to get exercise and have fun.

There are many different disabled sports that able-bodied people can play. Including wheelchair basketball, a fast-paced and exciting sport that is played on a basketball court. Players use wheelchairs to move around the court and shoot baskets.

 

MoveAlong provides gear for our athletes, including sleds for sled hockey and special wheelchairs for basketball.

MoveAlong has an email list for each sport that you can subscribe to where you can get details about or events.