Meet The Ulster Tigers
Meet the Ulster Tigers: More Than a Team
A few years ago, something simple sparked something powerful, and the Ulster Tigers were created.
One of the individuals we support at In Flight, Dan, an experienced Special Olympics athlete, approached Coach Ashley with an idea:
What if In Flight had its own Special Olympics team?
He didn’t just suggest it; he believed in it. And he believed Coach Ashley was the right person to lead it.
That moment became the beginning of what we now know as the Ulster Tigers.
Building Something That Matters
Since that day, the team has grown into something far greater than anyone could have imagined.
Under the leadership of Coach Ashley, alongside Coach Adam, the Ulster Tigers have developed not only as athletes but as individuals. Practices became more than drills and plays; they became opportunities to build confidence, strengthen communication, and develop skills that carry into everyday life.
What started as an idea has become a team defined by commitment, growth, and pride.
And along the way, their hard work has paid off, bringing home championships and proving what’s possible when opportunity meets determination.
A Moment That Changed Everything
In 2026, the Ulster Tigers took the court in a new way.
Together with In Flight’s philanthropy team, Coach Ashley and Coach Adam helped bring Hoops 4 Inclusion to life, a community fundraiser where the Ulster Tigers and In Flight staff faced off against members of the Ulster County community in a friendly, high-energy game.
It was more than an event.
It was a moment where our community saw firsthand what this program means. The teamwork. The joy. The pride. The connection.
And for our staff and the individuals we support, it ignited something bigger:
We didn’t just see what this program is; we saw what it could be.
More Than a Game
Today, the Ulster Tigers represent more than basketball.
They represent growth for individuals working toward greater independence, confidence, and connection in their everyday lives.
They represent an opportunity for people to be part of a team, to challenge themselves, and to succeed.
And they represent what’s possible when someone is given the chance.
What Comes Next
Right now, basketball is just the beginning.
Our vision is to grow In Flight’s Special Olympics program to include more sports, creating more opportunities for the individuals we support to participate, compete, and thrive.
Over the next several months, we’ll be launching a series of campaigns to help make this vision a reality. With the support of our community, through one-time gifts and monthly giving, we can expand this program and reach even more athletes ready for their chance to get in the game.
Follow the Ulster Tigers Journey
This is just the start.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more stories from the Ulster Tigers, highlighting individual athletes, their journeys, and the impact this program has had on their lives.
We are launching our first campaign, giving our donors the chance to collect Ulster Tigers playing cards. Each card represents a success story, one that, with the support of the community, could turn into further success for more individuals.
We invite you to follow along, learn more, and be part of what comes next.
Help us grow our Special Olympics program and create more opportunities for athletes to thrive. Contribute here to get your first Ulster Tiger playing card.
