Judy Siegle :: Awards and Achievements

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

She was a high school basketball star with a promising college future. But in a split second, her life changed forever. Her dream of playing college basketball was shattered when a drunk driver sped through a stop sign near her hometown of Pelican Rapids, Minn. The car crash left her with a broken neck. At 18, she faced life in a wheelchair.

But that’s not the end of the story.

“Back then I never would have dreamed I would be competing in sports at any level. I really thought my days in the competitive arena were done. What could a quadriplegic possibly do in sports other than be a spectator?” Judy Siegle

ATHELETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Judy Siegle went to become one of the elite wheelchair racers in the world, and she has the credentials to prove it:

A member of the U.S. team in the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta and the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia.

Winner of two gold medals in the Mexico City PanAm Games, 1999.

National record holder in the 400, 800, 1500 and 5000-meter events for quadriplegic women.

Named 2000 Female Athlete of the Year by USA Wheelchair Track and Field.

EDUCATION & CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Judy earned a bachelor’s degree in speech and communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She went on to earn her master's degree in social work, laying the foundation for a highly decorated 20-year health care career. Currently, she travels around the United States motivating and equipping leaders from all walks of life including companies, executives, students, individuals affected by disability and families to live with excellence, endurance and enthusiasm. She also serves as Director of Women’s Ministry at Hope Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS:

Service to Mankind Award, Sertoma, Great Plains Region, 2006

Alumni Achievement Award, Concordia College, 2005

Healthcare Professions of the Year, 2002

Exchange Program of the Year, West Fargo, 2002-03

YWCA Woman of the Year in Community, 2002

2000 Female Athlete of the Year, by Wheelchair Track and Field USA

Minnesota State High School Leagues' Hall of Fame, 1999

Heroes: Growing up Female and Strong - KARE-11 TV, Minneapolis, 1993

Concordia Centennial Celebration, Centennial Medallion, 1991

Rose and Jay Phillips Award for Career Achievements, 1991

North Dakota's Outstanding Disabled Citizen, 1990

Fargo's Outstanding Employed Disabled Citizen, 1989 Award.

2005 Kiwanis “Sports Person of the Year".

SOUGHT-AFTER SPEAKER:

Judy is a member of the International Speakers Network. In 2002, she was awarded Fargo’s YWCA Woman of the Year in Community and Healthcare. She has appeared on the Hour of Power from the Crystal Cathedral, and spoken for the Women in Sports Leadership Conference, National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Minnesota Business Professionals of America, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Judy is the recipient of Concordia College’s prestigious Alumni Achievement Award, 2005.

TWO-TIME AUTHOR:

Judy is the author of “Living Without Limits: 10 Keys to Unlocking the Champion in You”, released in September 2005. In this 200-page book, Judy shares her intensely personal story of triumph, shattering the most common barriers that prevent personal and professional success. She reveals principles of excellence and powerful life keys that can be adopted by any person with the desire to reach their highest potential. Her book is available at bookstores nationwide, gift shops and on-line at www.amazon.com. Judy is also a co-author of the book, “Don’t Miss Your Boat: Living Your Life with Purpose in the Real World”. In this compiled work, Judy joins other powerful co-authors who wish to equip and inspire individuals from all walks of life to tap their untapped potential, create powerful life turn-a rounds and ultimately live lives of great purpose, significance and fulfillment. This book is available online at www.amazon.com and at www.dontmissyourboat.com.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Judy’s resume includes extensive community involvement, showing her desire to leave a lasting impact in all areas of life. She has served her own community as member of the Metro Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, board member of the Interagency Program for Assistive Technology, chairperson of the Inclusion Ministry Network (a network of churches reaching out to individuals affected by disability), board member for Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living, and a member of Rotary. Judy has also served as mentor to several local youth over the years, deepening her ripple effect through their lives of impact. She has also served the broader community as North Dakota’s Chair Corp Representative for Wheels for the World, an international disability outreach of Joni Eareckson Tada. She has also traveled to Romania as a strategic team member with Wheels for the World, and has served her alma mater, Concordia College, on their prestigious Board of Regents.