ALL ABOUT US
Renegade Modified Sports is a Non Profit Organization based in Idaho. We are an all inclusive sports league for those with disabilities who wish to play team sports. Our founders are Sarah and Derek Schulz, a mother and son duo.
Renegade Modified Sports is a comprehensive and collaborative nonprofit organization
that provides training programs to those with disabilities. In recognition of the need for
coordinated action, Renegade Modified Sports was established as a nonprofit
organization to support the disabled community with support towards helping them lead
full, productive, and meaningful lives. Based in Chubbuck, ID, the organization is
passionate about rebuilding lives, solving problems by providing support, creative
outlets, and basic skills.
We have consistently grown since
then due to the community's helping hands, which is uniquely a place to make progress
in ensuring that there is a platform that helps by implementing a strategic, coordinated
approach to the provision of services for disabled people. To this end, Renegade
Modified Sports will forge partnerships with private entities and philanthropies to expand
our efforts and reach as many communities as possible. Our organization will serve all
individuals who need help regardless of race, color, religion, or gender.
MOTHER, SON PLAN SEVERAL EVENTS THROUGH NEW NONPROFIT BRINGING SPORTS TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Highland High School cheerleaders would usually start the chant when the football team had a comfortable lead and about 5 minutes remaining on the game clock.
“Derek! Derek! Derek!”
The fan favorite was former Highland Rams wide receiver Derek Schulz, who didn’t let his disability — mild ataxic cerebral palsy — stand in the way of achieving glory on the gridiron in the fall of 2013. Recently, Derek has devoted himself to making sure other people with disabilities in the community can enjoy similar experiences.
He and his mother, Sarah, have created their own nonprofit, Renegade Modified Sports, to introduce people with disabilities to sports.
Derek’s condition affects his balance, coordination and depth perception, but it didn’t stop him from making a memorable catch for the Rams on the turf inside of Holt Arena.
“We go against the norm,” Derek said regarding the name of his organization. “We don’t sit down and take it and go on about our lives.”
He and his mother had hoped to launch the organization in 2019, but it was delayed by COVID-19. Now they have their nonprofit status and they’ve got a full slate of events on their schedule. Last year, they hosted a cornhole tournament fundraiser and a football camp.
They hosted their second Cornhole Throw Down Tournament on April 2, raising more than $1,600 from about 140 participants. The Pocatello Elks Lodge will soon give them additional funds raised from beer sales at the event. The cornhole organizations representing both the Idaho Falls and Pocatello areas gave them financial assistance, and Franklin Building Supply, Portneuf Valley Tree Service, Sun Rock Construction, Porter’s Pub and the Williams family donated prize money for the tournament. Phil Meador Toyota contributed its facilities for hosting the event.
Their next fundraiser will be May 12 at MOD Pizza, LLC, 4050 Yellowstone Ave., where 20 percent of pizza sales from anyone who mentions Renegade Modified Sports will go toward the nonprofit.
On May 21, they’ll host a football camp for people with disabilities at the training field outside of Holt Arena. It will be staffed by Highland football players and coaches, including Coach Gino Mariani. The cost of participating is $40 per person. The nonprofit is seeking potential sponsors to help cover costs for participants who can’t afford the fee.
On Aug. 20, they’ll be hosting a second cornhole fundraiser at OK Ward Park.
They’re also hoping to offer football practices at Idaho State University starting in June, along with a couple of games. And they’re planning a baseball camp in August, with a short season of games.
“What I learned (playing football) is not just that you keep yourself accountable. Your team is going to keep yourself accountable,” Derek said. “Team sports are a good character builder, but a lot of these guys (with disabilities) give up on themselves.”
Derek, who now works at the Orange and Black Store in Historic Downtown Pocatello, said others tend to have lower expectations of people with disabilities, making it hard for them to meet their real potential.
“If I can do it, why can’t you? That’s kind of my thing on it,” Derek said.
Derek and his mother came up with the idea for the nonprofit during a car ride shortly after his graduation.
“He wanted to do something that had meaning to give back to people with disabilities — to do something that would give them the confidence to strive to have dreams and goals and a support system,” Sarah recalled.
Sarah plans to pursue grants for the nonprofit in addition to the fundraisers. She and Derek would like to help cover costs of people with disabilities working with personal trainers on Tuesdays and Thursdays at BA2 Athlete Training in Chubbuck.
The long-term goal is to acquire equipment and create a fitness center affiliated with Renegade Modified Sports.
Article used with permission from Idaho State Journal.