Review From Team Experts
The Texas Adaptive Play Initiative was founded in the spirit of helping others be active and be outside. More importantly, it was created by friends. In fact, several of the founding members of TAPI met through adaptive sports, specifically Beep Baseball. Not only do we aim to create an active and accessible sports culture in texas, we believe in the benefits of creating strong community. Our successes have been reached through the help of our friends. The Texas Adaptive Play Initiative is a nonprofit organization that exists to broaden the horizon of experiences available to the visually impaired. Bridging the gap from school sports to adult leagues, we know we can create a new culture.
Zachry Arambula
Zach Arambula received his bachelor's in kinesiology exercise science from the University of Texas A&M San Antonio. He currently works at the Texas School for the Blind where he aspires to be the school's head coach. He has been involved with adaptive sports for 14 years as an athlete and as a coach. With ten years of experience coaching group fitness, his main goal as a TAPI member is to get the adaptive community moving.
Roseann Garcia
Roseann Garcia is a media specialist with more than 10 years of experience in audio and video. She was introduced to adaptive sports through Beep Baseball as a volunteer. Now, as a member of TAPI, she hopes to capture and share the organization's mission.
David Smith
David grew up aspiring to be a professional athlete; unfortunately, due to his retina disorder, he was treated as a liability; excluding him from the sports he loved. David states that "not ever being able to realize my full athletic potential left a hole in my heart. My mission is to create the bridge between a blind person who aspires to be an athlete and the moment that aspiration becomes reality". David has been a Licensed Vocation Nurse for 16 years; he also holds a Bachelors in Exercise Science. David is currently pursuing his Master's degree in Healthcare Administration at Texas Tech.
Emily Shubin
Emily is a native Austinite, and found a passion for art early in life. This led her to acquire a bachelor's degree in fine arts. She has aspirations of becoming an art therapist, and envisions incorporating that into TAPI’s scope of practice. She was introduced to adaptive sports through functional fitness training. She shared two children with her loving partner, who is an avid participant in adaptive sports.
Ricky Ruzicka
Ricky Ruzicka studied Social Work at the University of Cincinnati. He found his love for adaptive sports while living in San Antonio, TX. He is an athlete with the San Antonio Jets beep baseball team and previously with STRAPS goalball. The access to these sports provided camaraderie, physical, and emotional support. Ricky believes that the future of TAPI can provide access to adaptive sports and bridge the gap in access to community to individuals across Texas experiencing a disability.
Guillermo Lopez III
Guillermo Lopez (also known as Will) was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He is a USMC veteran and received his bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy (CTRS). After losing his vision to LHON, Guillermo rediscovered his independence and found a strong community of friends through sports and recreational activities. Inspired by the positive impact recreational therapy had on his life, Guillermo wanted to help others just like him. Currently, Guillermo is a co-founder of a growing startup called Bob’s Containers, which focuses on manufacturing tiny homes out of shipping containers. As one of the directors of TAPI, he plans to help grow the blind sport and recreational activities available to blind youths and adults all across Texas.