Jeff Bielecki
2005 Mark Andrews Rising Star
Award Winner

The 2005 Mark Andrews Rising Star Award winner is a 21 year old from Warren, Michigan who is celebrated for his sportsmanship in athletic competition, his compassion for community service, and the fine example he sets for his teammates and peers.

Jeff Bielecki was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 11 months old and ever since then his life has revolved around friends, family, and sports. As a young athlete with a disability, Jeff has excelled in wheelchair basketball, hockey, track and field, baseball, and most recently sled hockey.

Wheelchair basketball was the first adapted sport Jeff attempted and enjoyed. He is a former member of the Sterling Heights Challengers wheelchair basketball team, one of three junior wheelchair teams in the state of Michigan. As a member and co-captain of the Challengers his team placed third in the 2001 Junior National Championship and finished fourth place in 2000.

In addition to wheelchair basketball, Jeff is a leading member of the Wheelchair Hockey League team that has captured three consecutive championships including the 2004 title. For the past two seasons he has served as Assistant Captain, earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2003, and was named best All Around Player-Most Valuable Player of the Wheelchair Hockey League in 2002. In his rookie season in 2001, he helped to lead his team to a second place finish and was named Co-Rookie of the Year.

Jeff has also competed in the 400 meter and slalom events winning a silver medal in the slalom at the Junior National Championship in the mid 1990's. In 1999 he earned his high school varsity letter for wheelchair basketball. He also served as statistician for wrestling and basketball teams. During the past year Jeff got involved in the local sled hockey league that plays at Great Lakes Arena in Fraser.

Jeff continues to be a volunteer aid for other athletes in the wheelchair hockey league. He also assists other athletes with daily living skills and provides transportation and mobility assistance. He has volunteered for the MDA telethon for the past four years and even goes as far as to help Muscular Dystrophy patients to their classes if the route is too difficult on campus. And this year before entering Central Michigan University, he received special permission for living arrangements to accommodate proximity to his girlfriend Jen DeNeau who relies on Jeff's assistance for her daily regimen on campus.

Jeff completed a degree program at Macomb Community College with a 3.7 grade point average. He is currently attending Central Michigan University studying broadcast journalism and communications.

Jeff was nominated for this award by WCHL Referee, William Long who said: "Jeff exhibits and exemplifies sportsmanship in competition in the wheelchair hockey league and involves all of his teammates regardless of the game score or their ability."

Congratulations Jeff!