UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Ability Athletics standout RJ Shirey will be the featured VIP Guest at this weekend's BBQ Fest 2023 & Cook Off. The charity event takes place on Saturday, June 10, at Pennwood Home and Hearth, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shirey, set to graduate in August, is both a certified EMT as well as a nationally competitive Paralympian as part of Penn State's Ability Athletics program.
Shirey is a State College native who lost his right leg after a tragic hunting accident at age 15. A mainstay in Penn State's Ability Athletics Program, he recently qualified for The Hartford Nationals, the longest standing national sport championship and what many consider the pinnacle of competition for adaptive sports athletes in the United States. Nationals are slated for July 8-14 in Hoover and Birmingham, Ala. Shirey has been competing in both the javelin and shot-put since arriving at Penn State as a freshman in 2019.
This Saturday's charity event will benefit the Pleasant Gap Fire Department, a perfect fit for the certified EMT and local motivational speaker. Shirey will bring his inspirational message to the festivities as the August grad prepares for next month's national championship.
BBQ Fest 2023 features demonstrations and local fare from a variety of area eateries. A competitive event, attendees can sample various BBQ products and vote for the winner during the event's closing ceremony as well. For more information on the event, hosted by Pennwood Home & Heart, visit the organizers website at https://pennwoodhomeandhearth.com/events/bbq-fest-2023/.
Ability Athletics is Penn State's program for adaptive intercollegiate and intramural sports. For more information on Ability Athletics at Penn State, please contact Brenna O'Connor (bao10@psu.edu).
