Joe Delagrave Shares his Inspirational Journey as Paralympic Medalist and Coach
RCB President Jeff Stone and Rotarian John Kemp with Joe Delagrave
This week, the Rotary Club of Birmingham (RCB) welcomed Joe Delagrave, Head Coach of Team USA Wheelchair Rugby and a two-time Paralympic medalist, who spoke about his journey from a July 2004 boating accident that left him with a spinal cord injury at age 19 to a 13-year playing career and now coaching the silver medal-winning Paralympic team. He shared the SELF framework he developed after being cut from the 2016 Rio roster—Support, Effort, Love, and Faith—along with the 3 Rs his team lives by: Respond well to failure, Remind each other of their why, Remember their purpose and the 3 Vs he uses as a coach: Voice, Value, Vision.
Delagrave discussed Lakeshore Foundation's role in developing Paralympic athletes and its support for wheelchair rugby, para powerlifting, and other adaptive sports. He emphasized that his goal as a coach is for his athletes to view competition as a vehicle for purpose and personal growth, not just medals.
Bio for Joe Delagrave
Joe Delagrave is the Head Coach of USA Wheelchair Rugby, a two-time Paralympic Medalist and Keynote Speaker. Growing up immersed in sports, Delagrave was a three-sport athlete throughout high school and went on to play Division II football at Winona State University. However, everything changed on July 10, 2004, when a boating trip with friends left him paralyzed at 19. After a long hospital stay and facing the reality of life in a wheelchair, Delagrave had to rediscover his identity. Today, as a husband, father, rugby player, coach, and counselor, he has learned that life is about choices, and he chooses to live with passion and purpose, inspiring others to do the same.
Delagrave inspires audiences worldwide with his powerful message of resilience, leadership, and self-discovery. Using his "Assess Your S.E.L.F." motto—Support, Effort, Love, and Faith—Delagravee helps individuals and teams unlock their potential and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. A former Paralympian and wheelchair rugby athlete, Delagrave’s journey from athlete to sought-after keynote speaker is a testament to the power of perseverance and purpose. He is a go-to speaker for conferences, leaders, and organizations seeking to ignite motivation and foster meaningful change.