The Chairman's Award recipient is not necessarily a nationally known sports figure, but one who has overcome a physical disability to attain a significant sports accomplishment while positively influencing the lives of others.

Bob Wieland has achieved more in his lifetime than most will ever imagine. Overcoming obstacle after obstacle, yet still managing to prove how big his heart is. Tonight's Chairman's Award recipient is recognized for his amazing life, for the many lives he has influenced and for the inspiration he is to us all.

Wieland grew up in Wisconsin with plans to play baseball. He was in his third year at the University of Wisconsin and was negotiating a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies when he was called to serve in Vietnam as a combat medic.

Based at the Army's base camp at Cu Chi in Vietnam, Wieland never got accustomed to constantly being around death. Because of his medic title, many depended on this young man who longed for baseball fields back in the states.

In June of 1969, Wieland's squad walked on a booby trap of buried mortar rounds. There were explosions. Soldiers fell to the ground. As Wieland ran to help a friend, he also ran into a booby trap.

He was pronounced dead on arrival. Amazingly he survived the blast. He wrote his parents, "Dear Mom and Dad: I'm in the hospital. Everything is going to be okay. The people here are taking good care of me. It won't be that much of an adjustment. Please don't worry about me. Maybe I'll help you out in real estate. Love, Bob. P.S. I think I lost my legs!"
 
Wieland had lost his future in baseball, his ability to walk, to dance, to climb. He now faced a future filled with obstacles. He chose to face this challenge with hope, faith and courage.

Wieland's list of accomplishments are above reproach. He walked across America on his hands in three years, eight months and six days between 1982 and 1986. In 1996, he cycled across America twice in conjunction with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. He completed the New York, Los Angeles, and Marine Corp Marathons. He is the only double amputee to ever compete without a wheelchair in the grueling Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26 mile marathon). He also shattered the world record in his weight division in the bench press on four occasions, lifting 507 pounds.

Apart from what Wieland can do physically, he has an amazing way of motivating and inspiring others. That's why he's been a strength and motivational coach for the Green Bay Packers, and why he acquired the nickname, "Mr. Inspiration."

He was named by People magazine in 1994 as One of the Six Most Amazing Americans in the Past 20 Years. And in 1995, The Most Courageous Man in America by the NFL Players Association. His honors don't stop there. He was named one of America's Top 10 Fitness Leaders and also dubbed a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. He is a faculty member, outstanding graduate and alumnus of California State University.

So many lives have been impacted in positive ways because of Mr. Inspiration. Wieland's words and his actions inspire us to overcome the obstacles we face.