The Uihlein-Ironman Sports Fund (UISF) at Adirondack Foundation is providing a boost to athletes and community organizations across the Olympic region

USIF announced its 2023 recipients this fall, awarding a total of $30,500 to 13 aspiring Olympians and 10 organizations. The fund — established by the Henry Uihlein II and Mildred A. Uihlein Foundation, the World Triathlon Corporation and Adirondack Foundation — helps athletes from Lake Placid and the Olympic region achieve their sports dreams and supports nonprofit organizations, schools and municipalities working to foster and promote life-long sports and healthy lifestyles for local kids.

UISF has awarded $566,593 in grants since its inception in 2005.

“Our region is rich with Olympic history and rooted in a love and respect for sports and recreation,” said Martha Bullock, a member of the UISF committee. “Athletes competing in traditional Olympic sports make many sacrifices to pursue their dreams, and this often leads to financial hurdles as they train and compete — this support from the Uihlein-Ironman Sports Fund helps remove some of those barriers so these young competitors can focus on their goals.”

“We’re also committed to strengthening organizations that are working to enhance access and equity in local sports and recreation,” Bullock added. “There are so many opportunities for kids to get outdoors and active, but as with competing on the national and international stages, money can be an obstacle. We’re so proud of the organizations that received grants this year for being proactive in introducing youth and families to life-long sports.”

The following individuals received UISF support this year:

• LilyAnn Fisher, alpine skiing
• Tate Frantz, ski jumping
• Trey Frantz, soccer
• John Lansing, bobsled
• Henry Loher, ski jumping
• Sadie Martin, luge
• Kai McKinnon, nordic combined
• Luke Salibello, alpine skiing
• Andrew Scanio, nordic skiing
• Micah Schneider, bobsled
• Cole VanEtten, alpine skiing
• Teegan Wardlaw, alpine skiing
• Zachary Wargo, alpine skiing

“The Uihlein Ironman Sports Fund has provided me tremendous help over the years,” said Andrew Scanio. “I have aspired to be a competitive cross-country skier on the NCAA circuit, and because of the support from the Adirondack Foundation, I can achieve these goals in the upcoming winter seasons. I feel grateful to have been born and raised in such an amazing small town.”

These organizations received UISF grants in 2023:

• Adirondack Health Foundation, for learn to swim classes for youth
• Community Ski Club of Lake Placid, to expand its ski programming
• Empire Orienteering Club, to help fund ski orienteering map holders
• Friends of Mt. Pisgah, for after-school ski and snowboard lessons
• Lake Placid Outing Club, for the 2024 introduction to backpacking program
• Northern Forest Canoe Trail, for accessible adventures for young paddlers
• Saranac Lake Civic Center, for community ice skating
• Saranac Lake Pee Wee Hockey Association, for enrichment and equipment
• Town of Wilmington, in support of its learn to ski program
• United States Luge Association, to help purchase equipment for young luge athletes

“This support is vital for our winter ski program and services for Wilmington youth,” said Wilmington Supervisor Roy Holzer. “Our community cannot thank UISF and the Adirondack Foundation enough for the continued support.”

“The Uihlein-Ironman Sports Fund helps ensure nordic skiing remains a free and accessible activity for area youth,” said Heather Odell of the Lake Placid Community Ski Program. “Our goal is to get kids moving outdoors while connecting with our incredible surroundings. We are thankful for our countless volunteers and for this fund so that we may continue to build on the success of this program.”

To be eligible for UISF grants, applicants must be competitive athletes aged 15 and older in the greater Lake Placid/Olympic region with regional, national and international promise, or nonprofits, schools and municipal programs that involve area youth in traditional sports. Race fees, training camps, travel, equipment and organized club activities all qualify as acceptable expenses. Applications are generally accepted beginning in early July.

To learn more about UISF, contact Leslee Mounger at (518) 523-9904 or leslee.mounger@adkfoundation.org. To learn more about Adirondack Foundation, visit adirondackfoundation.org.