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THE
DAILY OKLAHOMAN
Page 01
Thu, 29 Aug 2002
Driving program honors sportscaster
Mel Bracht |
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The legacy of Sports Animal
radio network sportscaster Dan Lutz lives on at the University
of Central Oklahoma. The university on Wednesday renamed
a driving program for Lutz, a graduate of the program
who died March 10 after battling cancer.
The Dan Lutz Rehabilitative Driving Program, formerly
the Oklahoma Center for Rehabilitative Driving Services,
offers driver training, assessment and evaluation services
for people with disabilities. More than 2,000 people have
been taught to drive since the program began 33 years
ago.
"He was the embodiment of courage," UCO president
Roger Webb said of Lutz during a morning ceremony at Broncho
Lake. "Dan is symbolic to many of us as a person
who could overcome his disabilities and go on and have
a productive life."
Lutz, who suffered from cerebral palsy and couldn't walk,
was taught to drive by instructor John McGivern, who has
administered the program the past 13 years.
"Dan was able to drive and he knew the liberation
and freedom that he had from being independent,"
Webb said. "He was able to come and go as he wanted
to and was able to work."
McGivern, who was offensive coordinator and head recruiter
with the UCO football team for 11 years, said 96 percent
of the program's graduates have gone on to receive driver's
licenses. He said his students include those with mental
and physical disabilities.
The driving program also got a boost with the announcement
that the Newby-Vance Mobility Group of Guthrie had donated
a 2003 GMC van equipped with a state-of-the-art mobility
package. The vehicle is valued at $130,000.
Several sponsors of the Dan Lutz Rehabilitation Fund,
which is associated with the UCO Foundation, were recognized
at the ceremony, which was emceed by Sports Animal sportscaster
Mike Steely.
Citadel Communications, which owns the Sports Animal,
was recognized for sponsoring fund-raisers and making
significant contributions for the fund.
Dr. Tony Cruse of the Southwest Orthopedic and Sports
Clinic was recognized for a $25,000 donation.
Others sponsors recognized included McGivern; Lutz's sister
Debra, who has helped organize the fund; Wheeler's Meat
Market, which plans to hold an annual fund-raiser; Sports
Animal sportscaster Craig Humphreys, who gave Lutz his
first radio job in Oklahoma City; and Robbie Robertson
of The Sports Group, which sponsors the Endeavor Games
for Athletes with Physical Disabilities.
McGivern encourages anyone who wants to enter the driving
program to call him at 974-5450 or page him at 575-0147.
Reprinted with permission © Copyright, The Oklahoma Publishing
Company
© Copyright
The Dan Lutz Rehabilitation Fund. All rights reserved.
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