Michael “Mikey” Bender was born with cerebral palsy and a backwards heart.  Doctors told his family that he would never be able to walk and would not live past the age of three.  This picture is of Mikey proving how strong he really was.

Mikey was passionate about sports and did not let his disabilities hold him back.  Even though there were no intramural programs for him, he played backyard sports with his brothers and their friends.  Those games became some of the best, and most enduring memories for both Mikey and his family.

Mikey passed in 2008 at the age of 21. It is in honor of his legacy that we established Mikey’s League with a mission to create lasting memories and share Mikey’s love of sport.