Rec Center Manager Officiates Wheelchair Rugby in Paralympic Games

HIGHLAND PARK, IL - Mitch Carr, the manager of the Recreation Center of Highland Park, was an official in the Wheelchair Rugby event during the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Paralympic Games.

Carr has been an international Wheelchair Rugby official for 17 years, according to a Park District of Highland Park news release, and first officiated in the Paralympics in London in 2012.

“I have to say, the Rio games were the best and the Brazilians came out in record numbers to support the teams,” said Carr, who received international certification as a wheelchair rugby official in 2008. “I officiated the Great Britain/Canada game which was the medal qualifier. It went into overtime and with .7 seconds left on the clock, Canada won the game. The cheering from the sold out crowd and the energy in the stadium during those last seconds is something I will never forget.”

Carr says his involvement in the sport has changed his life for the better, and he hopes to stay in the game at least until the 2020 Summer Paralympic Games are held in Tokyo.

“I have made lifelong friends from all over the world and have learned valuable lessons from the amazing athletes who have overcome incredible obstacles.”

Carr has been the general manager at the Recreation Center for three years.

photo via the Park District of Highland Park