The Special Needs Aquatic Program (SNAP) at UW-Stevens Point was developed by Rory Suomi, Ph.D., in the fall of 1992. One of the missions given to Suomi as a new faculty in adapted physical education was to develop programs in the newly built therapeutic pool. Since usage of the therapeutic pool has limitations due to its shallow depth Suomi decided to focus programs on two populations; adults with disabilities for aquatic exercise sessions and children of early childhood age for swim instruction.
For his efforts, Suomi has earned the 2017 UW-Stevens Point College of Professional Studies Ethel and Ward Cable Family Faculty Heroes Award.
The Ethel and Ward Cable Family Faculty Heroes Award honors one College of Professional Studies faculty or staff member each year who has done something heroic. In some cases the recipient has been heavily involved in an organization or community activity, in other cases they have developed a program to meet a community need or the needs of an individual; and in many cases they involved UW-Stevens Point students in their cause. The award will include a $1,000 (non-salary) grant to advance the work of the program or cause.
This fund was established by Dick Cable and Judy Cable Anderson, as an opportunity for the Cable Family to honor their mother and Father, Ethel and Ward Cable. This fund provides additional financial support to a faculty and/or department program or initiative that is deemed “heroic” in nature by the dean of the College of Professional Studies.