Paul Wieland
Oak Hill Adaptive Sports & Fitness
“The ability to help individuals with special needs reach their full potential means a great deal to me. Helping others challenge themselves in every aspect of their life, both physically and mentally gives me a great sense of pride and accomplishment. Any time I can make a difference in the lives of others and improve their quality of life I am thrilled to do so.”
We are proud to induct Paul Weiland into the Susan Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame.
Paul Weiland is a Health and Physical Education teacher with an Adaptive Physical Education certification by trade, but he is a coach and athlete at heart. Originally from the last town in South Dakota (Beresford), Paul came to Oak Hill in 2014 to lead the adaptive sports programs at Oak Hill’s, Chapter 126 Sports and Fitness Center, a specialized fitness facility designed for people with disabilities. Paul has seen it all, both on the courts and behind the bench.
Now 37 years old, Paul Weiland has coached Wheelchair Basketball at the high school and college level and was part of the USA Paralympics Wheelchair Basketball Selection Committee in 2008. Paul has extensive experience in developing, organizing, managing, and coaching a multitude of adaptive sport programs. He is very passionate about helping individuals of all abilities realize their full potential on the playing field, and in life.
For example, when the women athletes on a co-ed wheelchair basketball team came to him with their frustrations about not getting enough game time, he worked hard and created Connecticut’s first women’s wheelchair basketball team. Women come from 5 different states for this opportunity! When the Town of Bristol Special Education Department came to Paul with their concerns about their families not having support in the month of August (between the time when summer school ends and the school year starts), Paul created a special play group for them. Over 100 families come to us for this playgroup and it grows each year!
Whenever there is a need, Paul always helps to find a solution.