Teton Adaptive recognizes retiring board member Liz Acosta McCune

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Teton Adaptive recently recognized the outgoing board of director Liz Acosta McCune for her service and dedication.

McCune served as a board member from 2017 to 2021 and has served for two of those years as board president. Her goal in joining was to make sure that her child who has muscular dystrophy could participate in all of the activities her other children were participating in. She knew that was a tall order and an uphill battle, but she is not one to shy away from hard work, stubborn systems or being told no.

Following the lead of the Silver Star business executive, community leader and serious hockey mom role model, McCune and Teton Adaptive started to research the sport of sled hockey. In this Paralympic sport, hockey players sitting in sleds with skates beneath them glide across the ice battling for the puck just as stand up players do. She rallied the local families with disabilities and local hockey clubs, including our semi-pro team the Jackson Hole Moose, to join.

Fast forward five years, sled hockey is a collaborative program between Teton Adaptive and Jackson Hole Youth Hockey. The coaches are Moose team members who are known to shred the ice on a sled, role models for our local youth. Every year up to 30 people with disabilities at a time show up to 10 skate sessions and multiple pop-up scrimmages.

“As Liz moves on from the Teton Adaptive board we have no doubt that she will remain deeply involved in our cause,” said executive director Christy Fox. “Through her role as a member of the Wyoming Advisory Panel for Students with Disabilities representing Teton and Lincoln counties, she makes sure all children have access to the same opportunities and sharing resources that exist in the state. We hereby appoint Liz to be the Inclusive Hockey Czar. She will be facilitating, guiding and advising Teton Adaptive and JH Youth Hockey to continue to grow the ways we serve people with disabilities on the ice.”