JAMAICA, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College interim director of athletics Carl Christian has announced that Student-Athlete Orientation will be held on Thursday, September 26 from 12-1:45 p.m. inside York College Gymnasium. 

Student-Athlete Orientation provides information about the York student-athlete experience and offers Cardinals a chance to hear from student-athletes, coaches and administrators who will be important contributors to their collegiate experience.  

The Cardinals are proud to feature keynote speaker Garrison Redd, a Team USA Paralympic powerlifter who is #1 in the nation in his weight class and an advocate for disabled rights.  Redd, a 2012 graduate of York with a bachelor's degree in finance, became paralyzed when he was hit by a stray bullet as an innocent bystander when he was 17 years old.

"Being able to speak at my alma mater is an exciting opportunity," said Redd.  "However, being able to have an impact on the student-athletes who will be the future leaders of the world, now that is even more exciting."

Redd co-founded the Garrison Redd Project (GRP) in 2017, which offers adaptive sports programs and aims to improve access to resources for individuals with disabilities.  Redd moderates a powerlifting group for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation where he shares fitness tips and workouts. This past February, Redd lifted 275 lbs. at his first Para-Powerlifting National meet to qualify him to go to the World Para-Powerlifting Championship in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.  Redd has his eyes on Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Paralympics. He also models and has been featured in advertisements for Apple, Google, Brooklyn Fashion Week and New York City Fashion Week.

In December 2017, the CUNYAC released a groundbreaking inclusive and adaptive sports platform to educate student-athletes with disabilities about the great opportunities to play competitive sports within the city's five boroughs.  

Student-athletes will also gather to strike a pose for the 2019-20 department of athletics photo.  Returning student-athletes are required to wear their York Cardinals red polo, and new student-athletes will be issued one upon check-in.  Additionally, lunch will be served to all in attendance and Pepsi-Cola will also be on hand for student-athletes to sample their new all-day hydration beverage, Bolt24. 

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